Jose and Eddie the special two

ANDY GOODE thinks England are heading into this World Cup with rugby’s answer to Jose Mourinho in charge.

Eddie Jones and the Portuguese are both revered figures in their sports.

But the duo are also prone to periods of success, dips in form and have a fondness for mind games.

Jones (above right) began his England tenure with 13 consecutive wins before suffering a shocking 2018 Six Nations campaign.

He has had further erratic results this year.

Goode – who was capped 17 times for England – is convinced the Australian chief is cut from the same cloth as the former Man United manager Mourinho (above left).

“Mourinho is hugely successful but divides opinion as well,” said Goode.

“Jones divides the England fans like no other character.

“He’s a guy who likes to play games. He’ll say and do things that rile other people up. He’s very good at deflecting and taking the heat on his shoulders.

“That’s his way, it’s a masterplan for him, he wants to dictate the rhetoric.

“You don’t necessarily see the best coaches in the world doing that – Schmidt, Hansen and the like. “But it is different characters that make the game interesting.” England’s campaign starts against Tonga today. “Jones has said judge him on a Word Cup,” said Goode.

“If he’s a World Cup winner, it won’t matter what’s gone on before.” JAMIE GEORGE says England are ready to explode into the Rugby World Cup after having to be “reined in” during a physical final training session.

Four years of preparation ends today when Eddie Jones’ side take on Tonga. And Saracens hooker George said: “There was a bite to the way we trained, an edge to it, which is what you want. “We had to be reined in rather than given a kick, which is always a good sign. The boys are itching to go like kids at Christmas.

“We have been looking forward to this for four years.” ALEX WOOD