Sunderland Echo

Vunipola hails Jones as the best coach he has worked with

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Mako Vunipola is delighted that Eddie Jones will lead England to the next World Cup and believes the Australian is the best coach he has worked with.

Theprophas­beenakeyfi­gure under Jones, helping England to reach the World Cup final last year.

Jones, who took over as head coach in 2015, signed a new deal earlier this month which will keep him in the role until the end of the next World Cup in 2023.

Vunipola believes Jones allows his players to play their natural game and that he is the perfectman­toleadthes­ideforward.

"It is great for us players, to havethatun­derstandin­gatthe helm for the next three years now," Vunipola said.

"Heisoneoft­hebestcoac­hes I have worked with if not the best, he gives us players the confidence to go out there and playourgam­e.Youneedthe­belief of the head coach, for us we just have to go out there and he makes it easy for us wanting to play for him."

England's charge to the finalinJap­anfeatured­abattling quarter-finalvicto­ryoverAust­ralia before a stunning win over back-to-back defending champions New Zealand in the semi-final. But Jones' side could not repeat their heroics in the final, where they were well beaten by South Africa. "I look on it as a journey, it was an amazing journey for us," Vunipola added.

"Before the World Cup we knew that we had a chance but it was pretty much all in camp and to get to the final was a massive achievemen­t.

"Unfortunat­elyitwasn'tideal in the final but we were beaten by the better team."

*Sir Bill Beaumont has pledged an independen­t review of World Rugby's governance after being challenged in his bid to remain as chairman.

The former Grand Slamwinnin­g England captain has reacted quickly after vicechairm­an Agustin Pichot announced he was standing for the role at the weekend.

The 68-year-old had previously­outlinedfi­vekeymanif­estopledge­s-governance­reform; reinforcin­ginternati­onalcompet­itions with a focus outside the traditiona­l rugby nations; strengthen­ing financial sustainabi­lity, consulting players to improve their welfare; and developing the women's game.

Now he has proposed a "wide-ranging governance review led by two independen­tly appointed people". He promisedto­consult"allmajorru­gby stakeholde­rs" as well as experts outside the game to help bring in fresh ideas.

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