It’s all my fault we stumbled at final hurdle, says Eddie
EDDIE JONES shouldered full blame for England’s latest Grand Slam implosion in Dublin — then admitted he cannot wait to take on New Zealand.
Ireland ended England’s world record-equalling winning run at 18 matches with a fine 13-9 win at the Aviva Stadium, to deny Jones’ side a second-successive Grand Slam.
Jones branded New Zealand ‘there for the taking’ for the British and Irish Lions this summer, then confirmed his desire for the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to set up a match with the All Blacks in November.
‘I expect at least 15 of our guys to go on the Lions tour, I’d be disappointed if we don’t have that many in,’ said Jones.
‘And I think they’ll have a massive shout (of winning a first series in New Zealand since 1971).
‘New Zealand, as Ireland have shown, are there for the taking.
‘I can’t wait for us to play them, either. We’re very keen to play them, I’ve had a discussion with Ian (Ritchie, RFU chief executive) and we’re raring to go.’
England are not currently slated to face back-to-back world champions New Zealand until 2018, but the RFU are battling to secure a prestige November 2017 fixture with the All Blacks at Twickenham.
Jones’ clear desire for England to face New Zealand underscores his aim to turn his side into the world’s best.
‘There are a lot of discussions with New Zealand and within the rugby community, there’s still a lot to go.
‘You have these days, Ireland played superbly and they were too good for us on the day. We weren’t good enough.
‘We’re all human beings, we’re not perfect, and that’s why world records finish at 18 because it’s hard to keep. I didn’t prepare the team well today.’
When asked what he had done wrong in Dublin in preparing England, Jones said: ‘I’m not sure, if I knew I’d do it.
‘I’m human like everyone else, I make mistakes. So I’ll look at that.’
Ireland scrambled a second-place finish in the Six Nations, as well as ending another world-record run at 18 matches.
Joe Schmidt’s men downed New Zealand on a run of 18 consecutive wins in Chicago in November, and have now added the record-equalling England to that scalp.
Australian boss Jones insisted there was no relief in England losing their winning streak.
Asked if losing the winning run could alleviate pressure, Jones replied: ‘No, I think it’s fantastic having the pressure to perform.
‘To win the World Cup you’ve got to win seven in a row.
‘We’re 14 months into a four-year project.
‘Full credit to Ireland, they were brilliantly coached and executed their plan well.
‘How many teams average a 90 per cent win rate? Not many, only the All Blacks.’
England have now lost three Grand Slam deciders in Dublin since 2001, but Jones insisted his players had not been overawed by the occasion.
Asked if the showdown in Dublin had caught his players cold, Jones said: ‘I don’t think so, I thought our effort today was good.’
Vice-captain Jamie Heaslip pulled out of Ireland’s team after suffering a hamstring problem in the warm-up.
Peter O’Mahony stepped in and produced a man-of-the-match showing, but Ireland boss Schmidt insisted Heaslip’s withdrawal was enforced ‘That couldn’t be a more flawed theory,’ said Schmidt, when asked if the late change was tactical.