Eddie brings in Boks scrum guru
World Cup conqueror joins England
EDDie JOnes has hired the architect of england’s World Cup final demise, springbok scrum guru Matt proudfoot, as part of a coaching reshuffle which will see steve Borthwick sidelined ahead of his anticipated departure to leicester.
As reported by Sportsmail last month, Jones targeted 47-year-old south African proudfoot after he masterminded the Boks’ setpiece demolition of england in Yokohama on november 2.
the former prop, who represented scotland four times between 1998 and 2003, also played for edinburgh and Glasgow and worked under rassie erasmus from 2016 until the end of south Africa’s glorious campaign in the Far east.
proudfoot has been put in charge of the england forwards in place of Borthwick, the former national captain who will become skills coach for the forthcoming six nations championship. that move suggests he is being given a less prominent remit before taking up a senior role with the tigers.
Jones said: ‘ With neal Hatley moving to Bath, we needed to regenerate the forwards coaching area. Matt proudfoot has had an outstanding coaching career. He brings great technical expertise and knowledge.
‘We feel he can take the forwards to another level.’
proudfoot said: ‘ england is probably the best team in world rugby to coach. Having coached against them, you get to respect their identity. i look forward to doing england proud.’
Jones has also brought in england sevens coach simon Amor to mastermind the attack after scott Wisemantel was lured back to his native Australia to join their new- look coaching staff under Dave rennie.
Former scrum-half Amor will be involved throughout the six nations and will then revert to sevens until the tokyo Olympics, before resuming the 15-a-side post full-time. While Jones suggested he had been considering Amor for some time, his appointment means england will have a homegrown coach in the set-up, along with their Australian head coach, John Mitchell — a new Zealander — and south African proudfoot.
Assessing Amor, Jones said: ‘i have been very impressed with his dynamism, his rugby intellect and he will bring a fresh view on how we build our attack. We are excited about what he is going to bring.’
Amor said: ‘i love my country and i love coaching. this chance to work at the highest level for my country is something i am incredibly passionate about.’ WOrlD ruGBY announced trials yesterday to assess several proposed laws, including waist- high tackle limits, high tackle warnings to players, goal-line drop-outs after attacking players are held up in- goal and automatic yellow cards after a team have reached an infringement limit. none of the trials will take place within the home nations.