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Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones says his players could face the “angel or the devil” when he begins his reign as new England head coach.
The Australian, 55, succeeds Stuart Lancaster after England’s poor show at the World Cup and starts in December.
In his first news conference, it was claimed he was called the devil for how hard he worked former team Japan.
But Jones said: “Every side is different. You can be a devil one day and an angel the next day. We don’t know what I’m going to be.”
Following his four-year appointment as England’s first foreign coach, Jones said there was “extreme talent” in the squad despite the team’s worst performance at a World Cup.
He added that he wanted his team to make Twickenham “buzz” again by tapping into a “bulldog spirit” to take on the world’s best sides.
“One thing you have to do is create your own unique style of play,” the former Australia coach said.
“We won’t be copying the All Blacks, we will make our own style and I want the players to believe that 100%. We want the All Blacks to be watching how England play, that would be nice wouldn’t it?”
| Jones’ key triumphs |
|---|
| Guided Japan to their shock win over South Africa at recent World Cup |
| Technical director of South Africa when they won the 2007 World Cup |
| Took Australia to 2003 World Cup final where they lost to England |
Clean slate for everyone, including Robshaw
Jones was asked about his previous comments of captain Chris Robshaw, who he criticised in a newspaper column before England’s group-stage defeat by Australia.
Chris Robshaw said England “let the whole nation down” after a 33-13 defeat by Australia in the World Cup
The former Australia coach said: “Chris Robshaw wears No 7, but he is a six-and-a-half at best. He’s not hard over the ball and he’s not quick. He’s a useful player but he’s not an out-and-out open-side flanker.”
But Jones said he had been “a bit naughty”.
He added: “I wasn’t England coach then. I will sit down with Chris and have a chat to him, I’ve watched a couple of his games since the World Cup and like all the players, they are starting from zero.
“There’s always an opportunity to change things and he’s in exactly the same position.”
Jones v former England coach Sir Clive Woodward, who he faced with Australia at the 2003 World Cup
Lancaster built ‘great legacy’
Jones, who was South Africa’s technical director when they won the 2007 World Cup, said he was excited by the players in the current team.
“England have won two of the last three under-20s World Cups so there’s great talent out there,” Jones said.
“It’s a great legacy that Lancaster has left, there’s an opportunity to build something here.”
Jones also said he wanted to stick with the Rugby Football Union’s policy of picking home-based players.
“If you want to play with England you have to be in the Premiership. I am happy with that,” he added.
Jones the ‘first choice’
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said Jones was first choice and his ability to develop coaches played a part in landing the role.
Richie also denied that former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward had been approached to fulfil a role ‘director of rugby’ role.
“International experience and successful international experience at the level that Eddie has got was what we were looking for,” Ritchie said of Jones. “Eddie reports in to me, and he will appoint the assistant coaches so the structure is very clear.”
Jones said he one of those coaches would eventually be ready to take over from him by the 2019 World Cup.
“I see that as a fundamental part of the job and there’s real talent in England,” Jones said.
Richie added: “In the conversations we’ve had and Eddie’s track record of developing coaches throughout every job he’s had has been fantastic so I really do think that whoever Eddie chooses and wants to work with they will be learning a lot.”
BBC Sport