Former Ireland captain Roy Keane was reportedly invited into the England rugby camp during the week to give Eddie Jones a pep talk ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

According to SunSport, Keane visited the England squad on Tuesday and spoke to them about his star studded career which included a host of Premier League titles as well as a famous European Cup in 1999 with Manchester United.

Keane then went on to have lunch with the backroom staff with Jones reportedly hoping that the former Ireland and United captain’s leadership skills can rub off on some of his squad ahead of the World Cup.

Jones’ love for football has been well-documented and the Australian is said to be close with both Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

The move to bring an Irish man into give England a pep talk is unlikely to go down too well at home as Joe Schmidt’s men also begin their World Cup preparations.

Keane, is of course, well used to World Cup’s in Japan, having left the Irish squad in 2002 after a now infamous falling out with manager Mick McCarthy over the conditions at the Saipan training camp.

Jones will certainly be hoping that Keane’s presence doesn’t spark any controversy in his camp as England prepare for the World Cup as well as a clash with Ireland in Twickenham in two weeks time.

First though Jones’ side face the difficult task of Wales on Sunday with the English head coach set to name his squad for the game later today.

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