England boss Jones is accused of scare tactics
BRIAN O’Driscoll has accused Eddie Jones of “scaremongering” and admitted he relished the sight of the England head coach’s comments backfiring so spectacularly in France earlier this month.
Jones was widely ridiculed after his threat to face the French with “absolute brutality” was met with a belowpar 24-17 defeat in Paris in the opening game of this year’s Six Nations.
Heading into this weekend’s clash against Ireland at Twickenham, O’Driscoll referenced Jones’ barb at Jonny Sexton’s parents four years ago as an example of Jones’ habit of going too far.
Former Ireland centre O’Driscoll said: “I think Eddie says some things that overstep the mark sometimes. He said something about Jonny Sexton and brought his mum and dad into it four years ago and that’s not benefiting or building the game - that’s scaremongering.
“We don’t want that - we’re trying to help the product, not hinder it. Sometimes he gets it wrong.
“I think the stuff about brutality is harmless enough – particularly when you get your backside handed to you after the game so we can all have a good chuckle about it.
“There are many different sides to Eddie. I think he very much thinks about what he is saying and is quite calculated. I think there are certain things that are close to the edge.” Speaking at the Laureus Sports Awards in Berlin, O’Driscoll recalled the time during his illustrious career when he was accused of taking a step too far in kindling another prematch controversy.
As detailed in his autobiography, O’Driscoll earned a stinging rebuke from the then England coach Sir Clive Woodward after deriding Twickenham’s “prawn sandwich brigade”. Meanwhile, England prop Mako
Vunipola has been ruled out of Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland for family reasons.
Vunipola has been left out of the 33-man training squad that will prepare for the round three fixture, with Beno Obano called up in his place.
“Mako Vunipola is not included as he has travelled back to Tonga for family reasons,” a Rugby Football Union statement read.
Losing Vunipola is a major blow for England, who have already lost his younger brother Billy to a broken arm for the entire Six Nations.
Eddie Jones still has two high quality looseheads at his disposal, however, in Joe Marler and Ellis.
England will today give a fitness update on Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade, who have been suffering from respective groin and ankle injury problems.
I think he very much thinks about what he is saying. I think there are certain things that are close to the edge.