No regrets for Ed after England exit

RUGBY UNION

TENNIS

Eddie

Jones feels no bitterness over the way his England reign ended as he prepares to make his first appearance at Twickenham since being sacked by the Rugby Football Union.

Jones takes charge of the Barbarians against a World XV on Sunday in a brief interruption to his new duties as Australia head coach.

He departed in December as England’s most successful boss with a win rate of 73 per cent, but the decline in results over the last two years compelled the RFU to act and Steve Borthwick was appointed in his place.

England were booed off the field by disgruntled fans in the climax to a dismal

Great Britain will have a home tie against Sweden in the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs in

November.

Anne Keothavong’s side must win in order to make it into next year’s qualifier where they will get a chance to go to the 2024 autumn, but Jones is still looking forward to his Twickenham return.

When asked if he had any regrets over his exit, Jones replied: “No, none at all.

“I had a great seven years here, I loved it. I bet I’m the last foreign coach who coaches for seven years here. First and last.

“Loved my time here and I’m looking forward to Sunday. The sun is shining. It will be unbelievable.”

Jones is unconcerned by the prospect of being greeted with boos in the final match of the 2022-23 season.

“I never worry about things I can control. I don’t control that, so it’s no use even thinking about it,” he said.

end-of-year finals. They lost to France in this year’s attempt, going down 3-1 in Coventry last month.

It is a winnable tie for GB, with the venue to be decided, as Sweden only have one player currently ranked in the top 150 in the world.