Eddie Jones opens up regarding England axing

Recently-former England boss Eddie Jones has opened up to French publication, Midi Olypique, regarding his axing.

A poor Autumn Nations Series culminated in the RFU terminating Jones’ contract which would have seen him taking charge of England at the World Cup in France next year.

Jones said he believed things took a decisive dip when he was called into a meeting with the RFU bigwigs following England’s 25-all draw to the All Blacks at Twickenham on 19 November.

“I had a meeting with the senior directors of the RFU,” Jones said to Midi Olympique.

“I felt, that day, that the atmosphere was bizarre. They were not like they usually are with me. After that, the British media became more and more critical. I understood then that the end was nigh.”

Jones also pointed out the Saracens salary cap scandal and subsequent relegation of the team as a major contributing factor to England’s bad run of form, as the bulk of his squad were Saracens representatives.

“We always make mistakes. If today I could go back in time, maybe I would change some of my selection criteria,” he said.

“2021 was a very bad year for us. Saracens had just been demoted to the second division. As you probably know, the XV of England was then mainly formed by players from the Sarries.

“The problem is that their level has dropped considerably, in the second division and that the performances of our national team immediately suffered from it. So I should have changed my tune, that year. And I regret it, this is the mistake I made.”

Turning attention towards the future, Jones had the following to say:

“Right now, everything is an option! Next month, I will decide.”