What Did Eddie Jones Just Say?
What Did Eddie Jones Just Say?
Well, Eddie Jones just laid down a marker.
Did England head coach Eddie Jones just make a World Cup Promise?
Kind of.
The 59-year-old Australia did not say something soft when discussing the upcoming Summer Test Series games this August. He didn't say "we're going to compete" or "I think we can do well" or "we'll do better than last time."
He could have said all of those things and no one would have thought him guarded. Instead he said this:
"We have worked hard and now move into a four-game preparation phase where the development of the team tactically is paramount," said Jones through the RFU. "We are grateful for the strong opposition to test our game fitness. By the time we fly out on the 8th of September we will be ready to win the Rugby World Cup."
Whoa, wait a minute there.
They will be ready to win the Rugby World Cup.
That's a bit like taking your army ashore and burning your boats. Jones has stated publicly the goal, in fact the expectation. He's put that expectation on himself, and his players. We will be ready to win it, he said. Win it, not get to the semis, not be a contender ... win it.
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In a Rugby World Cup year, when most coaches are very, very guarded in their words, Jones has made a big statement.
He takes into this weekend's game with Wales four uncapped players: forwards Jack Singleton and Lewis Ludlam, and backs Willi Heinz and Ruaridh McConnochie.
They join 29 others in consideration for the upcoming games, but Jones didn't burn every boat, reserving the right to pick someone else if he wants to.
He sent some players back to their clubs: fullback Mike Brown, British and Irish Lions center Ben Te'o, uncapped back-rower Alex Dombrandt, and scrumhalf Ben Spencer.
Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell is still coming back from injury.
"We are not there yet but we have four games to get ready," Jones continued. "Players excluded from being involved in this camp are naturally disappointed but may get another opportunity so they must be ready."
England Squad For Summer Test Series:
Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) Charlie Ewels (Bath) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers) Jamie George (Saracens) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) Jack Singleton (Saracens) Sam Underhill (Bath) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/Sale Sharks)
Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath) Elliot Daly (Saracens) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Leicester Tigers) Piers Francis (Northampton Saints) Willi Heinz (Gloucester) Jonathan Joseph (Bath) Joe Marchant (Harlequins) Jonny May (Leicester Tigers) Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) Anthony Watson (Bath) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)