England head coach Eddie Jones is looking to build on his coaching squad for their Summer tour of Australia
England Rugby is currently riding the crest of a wave following a well deserved Grand Slam and 2016 Six Nations title this month. After the lows of the Rugby World Cup last year, which saw England knocked out at the group stages, things couldn’t be much higher it would seem.
However, if you were to sit up and listen to head coach Eddie Jones, who only took over following the failures of the World Cup, England are only getting started.
Jones has been quick to point out that while winning the Six Nations was important, the Grand Slam was the target. With that achieved he has now come out and said that his squad need to improve if they want to succeed against Australia on their three test tour of the southern hemisphere giants in June.
These comments make it clear that Jones has his eyes on a bigger prize. He is planning for three years from now and a shot at redemption at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Redemption not only for England but also for Jones himself. It was Jones who led Australia to the 2003 World Cup final only to see victory be snatched from his grasp at the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who famously scored a drop goal in the dying seconds of that final, sealing victory for the Red Rose.
Now, as reported in Planet Rugby, Jones has indicated that he is seeking to employ the services of Wilkinson for the summer tour of Australia, not only as kicking consultant, an ad hoc role he has been filling since his retirement from rugby last year, but now also in a more expansive role.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jones said
“Jonny’s influence has been fantastic.”
“He comes in unheralded, does sessions with the boys here and there. He’s been a very positive influence on George (Ford) and Owen (Farrell). Mike Brown’s done a lot of work with him as well.”
Speaking of his plans to recruit the legendary out-half for the trip to Australia, Jones says
“I’ll catch up with him in the next couple of weeks and we’ll see”
“He’s a specialist in that area. But the great things about Jonny is he brings other things as well.”
Jones is clearly looking to build a squad and coaching staff that will rival the likes of World Cup champions New Zealand. His ambition is clear. He has a young squad and has instilled in them a drive and belief in their own abilities that has already reaped frightening results.
At this early stage on the journey to World Cup 2019 it would be hard to argue that England are not going to be one of the clear favourites and to the neutral supporter the potential of the squad is truly eye watering.
It’s been a great start for England under Jones with the Six Nations title and the Grand Slam ticked off the box. Next up is the challenge of Australia in their own back yard.
You would be foolish to bet against the visitors for this one.
England kick off their tour on June 11th in Brisbane.
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