HOW EXACTLY DO RIVAL COACHES COMPARE?
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Stern Vern? Not always. Intensely protective of his privacy, definitely not keen on talking about himself, he has grown more affable since picking up a couple of major scalps — and perhaps loosened up in the knowledge that he’s checking out of Scottish rugby this summer, returning to the familiarity (and wealth) of French club rugby.
RUGBY STYLE
He arrived as Scotland head coach in 2014, took 43 players on a split tour of North America and South Africa… and promptly set about working with what he had. He hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel, preferring to ask the successful Glasgow players, in particular, to stick to many of the same fast-attacking systems they use for their club. Overall, he has added an edge — and belief — to the squad. It shows.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR COTTER?
Cotter leaves this summer, taking up the rewarding job of boss at French club Montpellier, although the promotion of Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend promises a continuation of the current feelgood factor. VERN HAS HIS SAY ON EDDIE... ‘Coaches have different characters and styles. Everybody has their own, we respect each other — and he’s good fun and company. ‘I like having a chat with him outside of the game, but we both like to compete as much as possible and that’s what this game’s about.’ WHAT ABOUT SUCCESS? Cotter led Clermont Auvergne to the French Top 14 title, as well as the European Challenge Cup. He also took the Crusaders to the Super Rugby title. You’d have to argue that, should Scotland beat England at Twickenham tomorrow, thereby heading into the final weekend with even a shot at the Six Nations title, he’ll have topped the lot.
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Irascible, occasionally prone to spiky moments. Hugely entertaining as coach of Japan at the World Cup back in 2015. But he has an iron will and ferocious work ethic.
RUGBY STYLE
It’s always about transition with Jones, who teaches his teams to hit the opposition hard, win the ball — and then pile on in. His England team work through the phases like a racing car moving through the gears, getting faster and more unstoppable as their huge forwards create gaps for flying backs.
WHAT ABOUT SUCCESS?
Even if you restrict this to his time at the helm of England, ignoring the Tri-Nations title with Australia or even the World Cup shocking of the Springboks, Jones has some impressive credentials. Last year’s Grand Slam makes up part of a winning run standing at 17 straight games — just one short of the All Blacks’ world record.
EDDIE HAS HIS SAY ON VERN...
Somehow managing to make an apology sound like a barb, Jones dipped back into a mild war of words over who should be favourites for the Calcutta Cup clash by declaring: ‘We’re happy to be favourites. I know he was upset about that, so I apologise to Vern. If you want me to write a letter, I’ll write a letter of apology.’
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JONES?
Jones wasn’t hired just to bully the best teams in the northern hemisphere. The RFU crave a World Cup. The next tournament in 2019 is being staged in Japan — Jones’ home away from home — and England shall expect, at the very least, a dramatic improvement on their dismal showing on home soil back in 2015.