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Former England player Ugo Monye has hit out an RFU statement on head coach Eddie Jones, claiming the missive to fans and the media was ‘dishonest’.
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Yesterday the RFU said they ‘fully support’ Jones after England showed signs of progression during the Guinness Six Nations.
“Eddie Jones is building a new England team and against a clear strategy we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made during this Six Nations,” an RFU spokesperson said. “The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team.”
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As in 2021, Jones will once again meet with Twickenham’s anonymous ‘advisory panel’ to review another failed campaign, but he will enter the review knowing his job is secure with the World Cup just 18 months away.
“Eddie and his team of coaches and players will conduct a full review as is normal after each tournament. The RFU advisory panel – which consists of board and executive members, former players and coaches, along with Eddie – will also undertake a debrief to discuss the strong positive steps forward during this campaign and the areas we need to address.
“The advisory group has been in place since 2019 and it meets regularly both during and after each tournament to evaluate clear targets and progression.”
Many see England’s third place finish as unacceptable, given they won just two games – against Italy and Wales, and were well beaten by Ireland and Grand Slam winners France.
“I want to know who in the RFU thinks that signifies progress and are happy with how things are,” Monye told the BBC Rugby Union Daily podcast. “Fundamentally it’s just dishonest. There isn’t progress.”
Monye also said that a name should be attached to the statement, as opposed to just being issued by a spokesperson.
“With the financial backing, the player pool and the coaching staff they have you cannot be winning two out of five games two years in a row. It’s appalling, unimaginable, unacceptable,” he said.
“England talk about showing great spirit and fight against Ireland and France but you expect that as a baseline. They were miles behind where France were.”
Meanwhile, Jones has defended his position as England’s head coach, saying there needs to be more patience shown for the team’s progression.
“They’ve got to have some faith. I think I’ve done a reasonable job for England for the past seven years,” Jones said.
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“Am I pleased with the job I’m doing? I’m not pleased with the results. Do I think I’m coaching well? 100 per cent. I think I’m coaching well and sometimes you don’t get the results.
“I’ve coached for long enough to know this is all about rebuilding a team. Rebuilding a team at international level is a complex and intriguing project, particularly when you’re coaching a team like England where the expectation is so high.”
