Eddie’s messengers

EVEN when England head coach Eddie Jones details his assistants to hold media briefings, it is only too apparent what an iron-grip he holds over the whole set-up.

Programmed forwards coach Steve Borthwick, put up yesterday, is so on-message in front of the press that nothing passes his lips that isn’t 100 per cent positive about Eddie and his regime.

Meanwhile, the legions of extra security personnel that were going to guard the entrance to England’s private area at their Pennyhill Park Hotel HQ — breached by an unwitting member of the media (yours truly) during the autumn international period — were not in evidence yesterday. Anyone could have sauntered down the stairs into Eddie’s domain if they so wished.