EDDIE: I’M STAYING Jones dismisses rumours of return Down Under
EDDIE JONES has restated his commitment to England until the next World Cup, despite a salary cut and an inevitable drop in funding for the national team.
The 60-year-old Australian has been the subject of intense speculation Down Under in recent weeks about the prospect of a return home to coach in rugby league.
But Jones dismissed the persistent rumours as ‘mischievous’ and when asked if he remains committed to England until rugby union’s global showpiece in 2023, he said emphatically: ‘Yeah, 100 per cent. I’ve only got one aim in mind — to make this team better every day.’
It is understood that Jones and his assistant coaches are likely to stay on reduced terms — 25 per cent pay cuts — for at least a year, as the RFU try to avert the threat of calamitous financial losses, estimated at £107million.
Jones has readily accepted his revised salary but said: ‘I don’t think it is any grand gesture by me.
‘I was asked to do it. I understand the situation. I once worked at a school for three months for no pay.
‘Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. The sacrifice I am making personally as compared to what some other people are making in sport and society is negligible.’
It emerged that, at the start of this week, Jones met RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney to discuss a blueprint for World Cup success at the next tournament in France.
The head coach will want the union to provide financial support for his plans, but understands that they will struggle to reach the same levels of expenditure as they did in the last four-year cycle.
‘ Bill and I had a chat on Monday about what we need to do to win the World Cup,’ said Jones. ‘I’ve got a sketch of what I think we need to do. Obviously there is some investment we need to make. But we’ll wait to see how things translate.
‘It’s a difficult time for rugby. We’ll have to make do with what we’re able to be funded.’
At a time of so many grim bulletins within the sport and beyond, there was good news for Jones this week when he found out that Manu Tuilagi would remain available for England selection following his abrupt departure from Leicester, after signing a deal to join Sale.
There had been speculation the 29-year-old centre might be lured abroad, but he is staying in the Premiership and Jones professed himself ‘ delighted’, adding: ‘ He is a valuable Test player. His performances in the World Cup and Six Nations indicate there is still more in him.’
Leading players are gearing up for a season which could last 12 months, from when the Premiership resumes in the middle of next month until the end of the Lions tour on August 7 next year.
Jones expressed concern about the workload, telling the BBC: ‘It’s going to be difficult. We can’t expect the players to play this season, seaternd play internationals and then go straight into another club season, then potentially go on a Lions tour.
‘It’s a job for r the administrators sork to work out how to find the right balance.’ ance.’