England boss Jones has impact on Hull

HULL coach Brett Hodgson says his players will benefit from the two days England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones spent with the club this week.

Jones, 61, who spent some time with Warrington in 2019, took up an invitation from fellow Australian Hodgson to take an active role in training ahead of the club’s Super League clash with Catalans Dragons on Monday and held meetings with the players.

“I spent some time with England rugby union just to go and do some personal development,” Hodgson said.

“I had a relationship with Eddie ongoing from that and I asked if he’d like to come up and just offer some advice to us.

“It was good having him here. When he speaks, everyone listens. He commands a room really well and we learnt a lot, which we’d like to keep in-house.”

Hull’s former Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers winger Mahe Fonua says the players were won over by Jones’ jovial nature.

“I didn’t know what to expect but, from when he came in, he cracked a few jokes straight away and got the boys on side,” Fonua said.

“He’s always smiling and happy to have a laugh and a joke. I didn’t think he was going to be like that.

“He seems like a really laidback character and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to meet him. He’s someone you’d like to sit down and have a beer with.

“I was hoping he’d be able to make our game on Monday but, as head coach of England, I’m sure he’s got a busy schedule but hopefully he’ll get down to a game.

“He’s a pretty down-to-earth bloke considering his football CV.

“It was good that he wanted to come and mingle with us even thought he’s been right at the top with World Cups.

“He approached me as I was warming up and stretching and we had a good yarn. He seemed genuinely interested. It was a good experience for me.”