‘Gutted’ Jones knows his future as England coach is out of his hands
Six Nations outcome had not made him question himself.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I’m sure they’re angry. We expect to win and we expect to play better than we did,” said Jones in addressing the frustration of supporters.
“Nooneismoredisappointedthantheteamandourselves with what happened and the fanshavegottherighttobedisappointed. We’re gutted by it.”
England entered the Six Nations as champions after compiling an eight-Test winning run which also secured the Autumn Nations Cup, but cracks were already evident as performances failed to match results.
“Unfortunately I thought we were due for a period like this. Every team goes through it,” Jones said.
“International rugby, particularly at Six Nations level, you get to a certain stage and the success makes you a bit weak. You need to fight through that.
“It’s hard to be at the top of the tree all the time. And so the team goes through cycles of success and cycles of failure and I think that’s a normal part of sport.
"I knew that a tough period was coming, because we’ve had a good run, we’ve won games we probably shouldn’t have won.”
May is one of several squad members to vigorously back Jones and the Gloucester wing admits Saturday’s subdued outing in Dublin will leave lasting scars.
“As players we’ll put our hands up because we go into games well prepared, with a good gameplan, good understanding,” May said.
“Tactically, physically, mentally we’re prepared extremely well. We have the best players, staff resources, players I feel. This one is on the players, so we need to sort it.
“There are moments in games that take a bit of your soul almost. And they sit with you. This campaign has been as tough as it comes.”