Eddie is backed by RFU
MEXICO’S Hirving Lozano wheels away in celebration, left, after scoring the goal that stunned Germany and ensured the holders’ World Cup campaign got off to the worst possible start. Lozano’s 35th-minute strike was enough to inflict a shock 1-0 defeat on Joachim Low’s side – their first in the tournament since a semi-final exit against Spain in 2010. It was Germany’s first opening-match loss since 1982 and piled the pressure on their remaining Group F games against Sweden and South Korea. Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said his side’s victory was more than six months in the making. “I told them to play for the love of winning, not the fear of losing,” he said.
Germany boss Low said: “We will not just break apart now and become headless.”
Brazil also fell short in their opener, being held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland. Philippe Coutinho put the favourites ahead with a first-half wonder goal but Steven Zuber levelled after the break. EDDIE JONES was last night given the RFU’s backing to stay as England coach despite the slump which has seen the side lose their last five Tests.
The Australian, who is contracted through to 2021, is feeling the heat after the series loss in South Africa.
But it is understood the RFU has no plans to reconsider his contract.
“The RFU supports Eddie Jones and his coaching team,” said a spokeswoman.
Jones himself said: “As England coach you are always under pressure. That’s the reality. We’re in a game where you’ve got to win.
“My job is to make the team win and it’s not winning. But I’ve also got a job to do which is the process of coaching. I think I’m doing that as well as I can. And the results will come.
“I haven’t had too many times when I have experienced this and it’s tough. Sometimes you have to be disciplined in the way you think.
“In these sort of situations you get a lot of advice that there are a lot of things wrong but we are only two or three per cent away from turning this around. I know that. I absolutely know that.”
Jones, who got into a row with a BBC radio reporter for his “aggressive” questioning after the 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein on