The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
England finally end five-test losing run
Head coach is not given World Cup guarantee
Eddie Jones retains the Rugby Football Union’s backing but chairman Andy Cosslett has stopped short of guaranteeing he will remain England’s head coach at the World Cup next year.
The five-test losing run that began in the Natwest 6 Nations and includes a series defeat in South Africa concluded on Saturday night when the Springboks were defeated 25-10 in the third and final Test at Newlands.
Jones faced the first calls for his removal after the series was surrendered in Bloemfontein last weekend, but Cosslett insists his success in leading England out of the post-2015 World Cup doldrums is still valued at Twickenham.
Cosslett refuses to guarantee the Australian’s post through to Japan 2019, however.
“You’re asking for unconditional support but only my children get that. And even then not always,” Cosslett said.
“It’s not something you give because you’re under assessment the whole time. It’s just not what we do,” he said.
“Eddie came to our union when it was at its lowest ebb after the World Cup. He grabbed it and took us on this extraordinary run.
“He has tremendous credit at the union for what he’s done. We’re very grateful to him for what he did at the time when we needed it most.
“We’ve had a reversal, which now hopefully we’ve sprung out of.
“The win in Cape Town was great, it was important and fantastic for the team, for the squad and everyone involved, but you have to keep a sense of proportion about this.”
Jones will meet RFU chief executive Steve Brown after his return to England today to review the 2-1 series defeat before a two-week holiday in Japan.
“It’s a huge year in front of us and we’re interested in hearing Eddie’s plan and how it’s changed as a result of South Africa,” Cosslett said.
“Let’s have a look at the plan from here and how does it stand because we have 15 months until the World Cup. Everyone knows that’s the focus.
“Eddie has to come in and tell us his plan.
“We’re very pleased with the result and the players and the coaching squad, but we keep a balanced view because we’ve had a disappointing run before that.”
Meanwhile, Danny Cipriani has responded to a posting on social media in which former England fly-half Andy Goode questioned the reaction of Owen Farrell to his pinpoint kick that set up Jonny May’s pivotal try in Cape Town.
Farrell appears to turn his back in disapproval after Cipriani hoists the 73rd-minute cross-field chip, prompting Goode to say it was “interesting” to see his “body language”.
“We are one team. Easily could have gone too long, we all had to stay in the moment!! No need Goodey,” Cipriani said on Twitter.