AHEAD

of the defeat in Dortmund, Gareth Southgate talked of what he had gleaned from a day with Eddie Jones and the England rugby squad.

It was interesting stuff, but there is a fundamental difference between the England rugby union team and the football team.

To rugby players, the international game is crucial in the sort of financial and commercial way that it can never be in football.

To get the same level of commitment on purely pride alone is the challenge Southgate faces.