Kyle’s critics know nothing about game, raps George
JAMIE George has fired a broadside at critics claiming England’s Cardiff defeat is evidence that Eddie Jones’ men are not yet mentally or tactically equipped to conquer the rugby globe.
The hooker denies the team has discipline issues and insists they are not bothered by what “outsiders” say about them.
Wales boss Warren Gatland said prop Kyle Sinckler has “demons”. But George was retaliating strongly to former Test flyhalf Andy Goode singling out Sinckler and blaming his indiscipline during the 21-13 defeat at the Principality Stadium.
In a website attack, Goode accused Sinckler of losing his side the game by giving away two costly penalties but George defends his team-mate and insists: “It’s just laughable. It shows he clearly knows nothing about the game.
“I couldn’t care less what Andy Goode thinks but I do care about Kyle Sinckler. The bloke made how many tackles in 60 minutes! Then he gives away a penalty and suddenly everyone thinks it’s his fault. That’s very unfair.”
Yet it is clear that having been heralded for their excellent opening two victories over Ireland and France, the stinging criticism from former players has had an effect on the play-
ers who have spent the past week trying to work out what went wrong against Wales while making sure they react by putting Italy to the sword next Saturday.
George refutes any suggestion England’s World Cup chances have hit the rocks because of 40 unhappy minutes in Cardiff, but does admit the players have redressed their disiciplinary problems in private.
The Saracens forward said: “People are all entitled to their opinion but the important thing is we focus on ourselves and what we are doing, and not let outside opinion influence where we are at in terms of physically, mentally and emotionally.
“It’s important we stay tight as a group. No matter what some say, we do have a plan B and can change things.”
George, who has enjoyed a continued run in the side in the absence of Dylan Hartley, added: “This has been the most enjoyable period I have ever had in an England team. We are creating a good culture and one loss doesn’t make us the worst team in the world unlike what some people may say.
“Of course discipline is crucial. We have an individual responsibility to make sure the team achieves what we want in terms of our discipline. We all need to put our hands up when the game gets difficult – I know I do to keep influencing the game – I can get my hands on the ball more, make more dominant tackles and take hold of the set-pieces.”
George and his fellow forwards have again been going head to head with the formidable Georgia pack as part of their build-up for the Italy contest. George shrugs off suggestions England’s beefcakes were given something of a roasting by the rugby beasts from the east a year ago, but admits it was a lot more even in the scrum stakes this time.
George, who predicts some ferocious set-piece battles with the Italians, says: “Georgians can certainly scrum, they were built for it.
“It was a good test for us because they are strong and are well-drilled and now have Graham Rowntree as their coach. We faced them last year during a Six Nations fallow week so knew what was coming. We learned a lot from the lesson and, if anything, it shows we have developed as a pack.”
On Italy next Saturday, he says: “Italy are turning into a serious team under Conor O’Shea and we’re preparing for a full-on Test match. We want to show the English public that we love playing for England and love being at Twickenham.
We want to put on a show; we want to play a good brand of rugby with a smile on our face and show the pride we have of playing for England.”