Jones says all Pep talks are... BANNED!
While the Man City boss (below) may be willing to learn the hard way, England’s head coach does not intend to allow his players to do the same. The straight-talking Aussie does not even want to contemplate the prospect of his record-chasing side being beaten during the Six Nations. And he will NOT be bringing in motivational speakers to address his players ahead of Saturday’s opener against France at Twickenham. That is because Jones thinks the England team, chasing a second Six Nations title on the spin and New Zealand’s amazing record of 18 straight wins, should be pumped up enough. He said: “I am currently reading Pep’s book, which I love, and he has a chapter on how you can learn from losing games. “He says you learn a lot when you get beaten but I beg to differ. “If you have got the right processes in place, and you don’t get too far ahead of yourself, I believe you can learn every time you train. “We did that the other day. “We had to cut something short in training as we did not do what we said we were going to do. “But it was great for the boys because when we all came in to our next t r aining session, I was very pleased to see the p l aye r s adjust and deal with the problem straight away. “So yeah, I think it is best to learn during training and much more enjoyable to GARY FITZGERALD learn from winning as well. In fact, we don’t talk about losing.”
Jones added: “We talk about getting better.
“There will be times when we play well and the other team will be better. It hasn’t happened to us yet but it could well happen.
“But it’s not something I am going to contemplate to be honest.
“If we are not strong enough to cope with a defeat then we haven’t got the right players in the squad.
“But if we hadn’t got the right players we wouldn’t be 13-0.” Despite admitting he does not have enough leaders on the field, Jones will not be calling on any ex-players or former World Cup winners to help motivate his squad ahead of the opening game with France on Saturday.
He said: “I am not a great believer in that. “If the players need inspiration from someone who has done it before in the game, I don’t think they are in the right state of mind. “The inspiration should come from themselves. They have got a chance to play for England.
“If you can’t be inspired to play for your country then how can you be inspired?
“So if you need Lawrence Dallaglio to come in to get inspired, that is a worry.
“I want the players to be excited and inspired about playing for England.”
But Jones does want Dylan Hartley, who has retained the captaincy for the upcoming tournament despite his latest disciplinary problems, and the other players to use tennis legend Roger Federer as inspiration.
The Swiss ace, who has won 17 Grand Slam events during a stunning career, has returned to his brilliant best form in the Australian Open and faces Rafa Nadal in a tasty-looking final in Melbourne this morning.
And Jones said: “Good players evolve with time.
“Take Roger Federer for instance. Every time he plays he has got some new stroke he develops. “It is the same with rugby players. “If you are a great defensive player and you can add attacking skills then you become potentially a great player like Richie McCaw.
“When McCaw first played for the Crusaders, he was an out-and-out defensive player. Couldn’t carry, couldn’t pass. He was a great defensive player.
“By the end of his career he could carry, he could pass and he could do everything. And that is how the great players evolve.” ENGLAND SIX NATIONS FIXTURES
February 4: France (H) February 11: Wales (A) February 26: Italy (H) March 11:
Scotland (H) March 18: Ireland (A)