Eddie Jones thinks that external forces may have influenced the decision to select Marcus Smith instead of Owen Farrell for their Six Nations game against France, which resulted in a defeat.
“The selection of Marcus — to me that’s always the political selection,” said Jones on his podcast EDDIE.
“A player has been out of form, hasn’t quite done well at Test level and then he plays one or two club games and he’s a hero. The media starts banging on the door — you’ve got to pick him, you’ve got to pick him — and then the board reacts to that, and ask, ‘Why aren’t you picking him?’
“When you’re a young coach at the start of your career you can get influenced by that. I really felt for Marcus in that game. The thing you’ve got in England is the intenseness [sic] of the media, which then affects the board, and they start to step in, and that’s when you get problems. Allow the coach to coach.
“The board have a strategic role, but because they feel the pressure they try to get involved in the operational side, and that’s when things get worse. Unless you have strong people around the team that can be a difficulty.”
An RFU spokesperson responded to Jones rant with the following statement: “Team selection is entirely Steve’s decision as England Head Coach.”
England have three options to replace Steve Borthwick in case of World Cup disaster
Steve Borthwick has had to face tough questions already during his short reign as England’s preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup continues.
A troubling run of form leading up to the World Cup could spell the end if the them en in white don’t come up with the goods at the tournament proper.
RUCK takes you through three coaches who could be sought out if Borthwick is given his marching orders after leading the nation to France…
Rob Baxter
Rob Baxter, who guided the Devon-based club from the Championship to European champions in 10 years has done this largely with a core of players that have come through the academy at Exeter.
With this season’s club performance not at the level of previous years, it may be time for him to move on and into the Test game in the near futuree.
Although Baxter joined the England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and Uruguay in March 2013, he has no experience outside of Exeter. “I would be happy to have a chat about what the role is, how they see it working and what their plans and ambitions are,” Baxter said of the England job back in December.
“Unless you know what it is, it’s hard to say yes or no to anything. At the same time, I’m not looking for another job! I’m very happy here,” he added.
