NO RESPECT
Jones rounds on critics after lucky win over French reserves
EDDIE JonEs rounded on the ‘disrespectful’ critics of his players after England’s extra- time victory over France’s second t eam landed them the Autumn nations Cup.
Pockets of the 2,000- strong Twickenham crowd jeered at the relentless kicking tactics that have been a theme of England’s campaign.
Billed as a mismatch against an under- strength Bleus side, the favourites trailed from the 15th minute to the 80th when they had to rely on Luke Cowan-Dickie’s try to snatch an extra- time lifeline. It then took a suddendeath owen Farrell penalty in the 95th minute to win.
Asked i f England could be more entertaining, coach Jones snapped back: ‘Look, the game is tough at the moment and it goes through cycles of being tough.
‘Don’t get so worried about it. Haven’t you seen rugby go through these cycles before? I find it all a bit childish, mate — all this talk.
‘ obviously, you have to win, mate. If we don’t win, we don’t coach. You know that, I know that, everyone knows that… so l et’s be quite blunt about that.
‘ In terms of the r ugby — do you think we go out there and don’t want to play good rugby? Are you seriously asking me that? sometimes you can’t play good rugby, so I apologise.
I am not as good a coach as you and all your mates.’ Pressed on whether England no 10 George Ford was under strict orders to kick the ball, Jones added: ‘ You think I’m calling that every time he gets the ball? Don’t ask stupid questions.’ Jones’ men may have won the prize but a shadow France side took all the plaudits. They were only beaten when Farrell, who missed f our penalties in an erratic display, recovered his poise to land the decisive shot. scenes of euphoria on the pitch were fuelled by England’s relief they had avoided another final indignity, 13 months after slumping to a 32-12 defeat in the
World Cup decider against south Africa. Losing yesterday would have been a devastating setback for Jones.
France were without more than 30 leading stars as a result of the club-v- country dispute which weakened Fabien Galthie’s hand. But an assortment of second and third-choice players rose to the occasion by taking the lead and scrapping to protect it.
England couldn’t make their perceived superiority count and were not as dominant up front as they had been during wins over Georgia, Ireland and Wales. Their line-out was repeatedly plundered by Cameron Woki, while fly-half Matthieu Jalibert weaved through the English defence.
Jalibert conjured a superb try for full-back Brice Dulin, who exuded serene authority under England’s aerial bombardment. The no 10 darted through a gap in the 15th minute, handed off Jamie George and threw a wonderful, tumbling pass to send
Dulin scooting over for a try which Jalibert converted.
It was an act of attacking class England couldn’t match, despite Jones and his players having spoken of their determination to establish some fluency at the end of an often one- dimensional campaign. Instead, they resorted to ki c ki ng t he ball a way repeatedly.
In a telling sequence just before the break, England launched a brutal driving onslaught as they sought to recover a 13-6 deficit after Farrell and Jalibert had traded two penalties apiece. The home forwards pounded at the line but the French defence, expertly revived and galvanised by shaun Edwards, held firm.
England appeared reluctant to send the ball wide and take advantage of the space available. When they did seek to expand their approach, it invariably led to nothing. There were faults with the timing of passes, the decisionmaking, the execution. In short, there was precious little rhythm or attacking conviction.
They had to settle for applying pressure, on both the away team and referee Andrew Brace, who repeatedly warned Farrell to stop appealing.
Ulti mately, t he c onstant demands earned some return as a couple of key decisions in the closing stages helped pave the way for a dramatic escape.
A last-minute penalty, when France were leading 19-12 and on the brink of a famous upset, allowed England to wriggle off the hook.
The ball was dispatched to the left corner, Jonny Hill claimed the ensuing l i ne- out, the whiteshirted pack drove with purpose and Cowan-Dickie spun away from the maul to touch down.
Farrell’s conversion levelled the scores. He then missed a straight shot to win the match three minutes into extra-time, but his next kick went between the posts.