Jones opens up on ‘wrong selections’

Eddie Jones has expanded on his comment earlier this week about making wrong selection calls for England’s World Cup final against South Africa in Japan. which ended in a 32-12 win for the Springnoks.

The England coach has revealed that he made two mistakes, in a new autobiography being serialised in The Times. “I should have chosen Joe Marler ahead of Mako Vunipola at loosehead prop and I should have reverted to the Owen Farrell–manu Tuilagi–henry Slade midfield we used against Australia.” Jones says. “George Ford could have come off the bench when we had got into the game .”

Jones’s thoughts today turn to the Barbarians side he is putting out against Fiji at Twickenham. “The next thing I’m going to do is make sure this Barbarians side play some great rugby, so that’s the only thing I’m worried about,” he said.

Three Springbok world champions from the final in Yokohama will feature for the Barbarians – prop Tendai Mtawarira, wing Makazole Mapimpi and centre Lukhanyo Am – with Jones pleased to be working with them.

“It is wonderful those guys want to play for the Barbarians. It’s nice to see they want to give something back to the game,” he said.

Retiring Ireland hooker Rory Best, who captains the Barbarians, said: “You come off the back of the World Cup and take a few days to lick your wounds. I hope to sign off my career with hopefully a better result with this Barbarians team. It goes back to the core values of rugby; having fun, meeting people and trying to be the best version of ourselves on match day.”