Jones: I hope Farrell refinds love of game
Former England coach ‘sad’ over impact of fly-half ’s abuse Australian backs Ford to start at 10 against his Japan side
Eddie Jones says he hopes former England captain Owen Farrell’s move to France reignites his passion for rugby.
Farrell announced he was stepping back from internationals after the World Cup in France last November to protect his and his family’s mental health after the pressure of international captaincy, including being booed by his own fans, became overbearing. The 32-year-old has also brought to an end a 17-year association with Saracens by signing for Racing 92, saying in February that “the time feels right to try something different”.
Jones told Telegraph Sport he had been saddened by Farrell’s decision but hoped it might lead to a return to the international scene.
“I think it is sad that he feels like that for such a tough, unrelenting player,” said Jones, who will coach Japan against England in the opening Test of the summer tour in front of what is expected to be a crowd of more than 65,000 at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
“He is one of the game’s most acclaimed players and yet he feels like he has to change his career. If he wants to do something different by his own volition, then that is great. But when you think he has done it because of all the abuse he has suffered in the game, I think that is sad, but that is the society we live in. That can’t be right.
“The booing became contagious. People start booing and they don’t really know what they are booing about. They just think, ‘This is a good idea, let’s boo.’”
The Australian, who has returned to the international coaching scene with Japan after resigning from the Wallabies job following their disappointing World Cup campaign, had appointed Farrell as England captain in 2018 and coached him for seven years while he was head coach.
“Owen in the last 15 years has been one of the toughest, most uncompromising players to have played the game. We shared a few texts and I just hope for the rest of his career he finds the love of the game again. I think at Racing he will get the love of the game back and it will be purely about playing.
“If he enjoys the experience and then does want to come back and play [internationally], then come back and play. But if not, continue doing what he loves doing.”
Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, must choose between George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith as his starting fly-half for the summer tour, which also includes two Tests against New Zealand. Jones, who worked with Borthwick at Japan and England, is certain who will start against his side.
“Knowing Steve reasonably well, I have a pretty good idea George Ford might be playing,” Jones said. “George, particularly his organisational skills, you could see come through in the World Cup. Marcus, if he wants to play Test rugby, has to go back to his club and not change his game but add to it, like Richie Mo’unga has done at New Zealand.
“I think Fin Smith looks like a Test 10. He looks like he might have the goods going forward.”