JONES IS HANGING ON BY A THREAD AS PETULANT ENGLAND FLOP AGAIN

BACK in February, the day before the Calcutta Cup Six Nations clash with Scotland, an English national newspaper ran then headline: ‘Eddie the perfect fit for England.’ They haven’t won a match since. Four months ago, Eddie Jones (right) was untouchable having lost just once (to Ireland in 2017) since taking over after the World Cup. The media were fully behind him, players sang his praises and the union and fans were convinced they had the right man to bring the team back to the summit of the game at Japan 2019. Now, he is fighting to keep his job with the union forced to give the nerve-shredding ‘vote of confidence’ yesterday. Saturday’s 23-12 loss to South Africa was England’s sixth in succession, including a cringe-fueled loss to a Barbarians side that enjoyed a relaxed build-up. Jones is defiant about carrying on but must be grateful scrum-half Ben Youngs took some of the heat off with his petulant post-match TV interview walkoff. England were similarly tetchy on the pitch as the revitalised Boks surged past them and another loss in Cape Town this weekend could be the end for Jones. Can RFU afford to wait until after the November Tests to make a change? The team is playing like one that wants a new direction and they could ensure it by losing again on Saturday.