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Eddie Jones to miss funeral of former coach to remain with England squad

England coach Eddie Jones.

The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that England head coach Eddie Jones will not be attending the funeral of former Randwick coach Jeff Sayle, who died on Monday.

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Jones explored the possibility of flying from Tokyo to Sydney to be present for the service that will be held Friday, but the logistics of the journey have persuaded him against it.

England have already qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Argentina and they face France on Saturday to determine who finishes top of Pool C.

Jones, who was coached by Sayle at Randwick, had considered departing Japan after Thursday’s team announcement and returning on the morning of the climax to the group phase.

PA Media understands that former Wallaby Glen Ella, who provided coaching assistance to England in 2016, will pass on condolences to Sayle’s family on Jones’ behalf.

“Obviously I’d like to go because Jeff was a great mate of mine, but I’ve got a lot of responsibility coaching England at the World Cup. I’m conscious of that,” Jones said.

“The travel makes it difficult so, much as I’d like to go, I will be staying in Japan.”

Watch: England press conference

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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