Eddie Jones will solid a important eye over England’s make-or-break Six Nations marketing campaign with the previous head coach signed as an ITV pundit for the forthcoming championship.
Jones was sacked as England head coach in late 2022 and was lined up for a TV job for the 2023 Six Nations, solely to comply with an ill-fated spell in control of Australia. Having left the Wallabies in November 2023, he returned to Japan for a second time period on the helm of the Courageous Blossoms however will be part of the ITV workforce for this yr’s competitors.
The 64-year-old guided England to 3 Six Nations titles together with the 2016 grand slam and coached in opposition to his former aspect at Twickenham for the primary time final November, Japan dropping 59-14. Jones alleged that “some clown abused me happening the steps” at half-time of that match.
Afterwards, Jones was complimentary in his reward of England below Steve Borthwick – who served as his assistant for 4 and a half years – however the present head coach is below appreciable stress after simply 5 wins from 12 matches in 2024 and a run of 5 successive defeats earlier than beating Japan.
In the course of the autumn internationals, Jones got here below hearth amid claims from the previous England scrum-half Danny Care in his autobiography that the Australian oversaw a poisonous atmosphere, ran a “dictatorship” and acted like a “despot who disappeared folks” by bullying workers members and gamers. In response, Jones disregarded the allegations and joked that he would publish his personal ebook “Caring About Care”.
Jones is ITV’s marquee pundit in a lineup that features the World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson. Jones’s outdated sparring accomplice Sir Clive Woodward won’t characteristic, nevertheless, having stepped again following the 2023 World Cup.
ITV will broadcast 4 of England’s 5 video games, together with their daunting opener in opposition to Eire in Dublin on 1 February in what might be the ultimate championship proven completely on free-to-air TV. The tender course of for the rights for future championships is predicted to be accomplished this yr with organisers believed to be open to an association that may see among the event behind a paywall whereas some stays free to air. Representatives from the BBC and ITV have each acknowledged that competing with pay broadcasters to retain the Six Nations will show tough.
Tuipulotu blow for Scotland
In a significant blow to Scotland, it was revealed that the centre and captain, Sione Tuipulotu, will miss the whole Six Nations due to a chest harm. Tuipulotu is to have surgical procedure on the pectoral muscle that was broken in coaching for Glasgow Warriors final week.
The 27-year-old is obvious favorite to say the No 12 jersey for the British & Irish Lions in Australia this summer season so his anticipated return in direction of the top of the season will come as a aid to the vacationers’ head coach, Andy Farrell. Lock Scott Cummings is also unavailable for the entire Six Nations after he fractured his arm in Glasgow’s 24-7 defeat by Harlequins on Saturday evening. With Tuipulotu unavailable, Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland within the marketing campaign that begins in opposition to Italy at Murrayfield on 1 February. PA Media
Morrow to hitch England workers
England have appointed Phil Morrow as their head of workforce efficiency to fill the emptiness created by Aled Walters’ departure for Eire. Morrow will be part of Borthwick’s teaching workers upon completion of Saracens’ season the place he has been employed as head of power and conditioning and efficiency director since 2011. He additionally brings expertise from engaged on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and from his time as head of health for the Irish Rugby Soccer Union.
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“Phil is broadly recognised as probably the most achieved and revered figures within the recreation,” Borthwick stated. “His observe document of success with Saracens speaks for itself. Phil has devoted his profession to serving to gamers maximise their bodily efficiency and is understood for his relentless drive and skill to push requirements to the best stage.” PA Media
Lynn appointed Wales girls’s coach
Sean Lynn, who masterminded back-to-back Premiership Girls’s Rugby titles as Gloucester-Hartpury coach prior to now two seasons, has been appointed because the Wales girls’s head coach.
The Welsh Rugby Union stated that Lynn, who has agreed a three-year contract, will swap full-time to Wales forward of the Six Nations, which begins in March. Ioan Cunningham left his position in November, whereas Nigel Walker resigned because the WRU’s government director of rugby simply earlier than Christmas.
These departures got here following a turbulent spell final yr that noticed the WRU’s dealing with of now-completed contract negotiations for its high feminine gamers fiercely criticised. Lynn’s arrival comes on the again of former the PWR chief government Belinda Moore taking a newly created put up because the WRU’s head of ladies’s rugby.
The Six Nations, which Wales start in opposition to Scotland on 22 March, is adopted by the England-hosted World Cup throughout August and September, with Wales in a tricky pool alongside Scotland, Canada and Fiji. Lynn stated: “I’m Welsh and I’m coming residence, and also you don’t want me to inform you what this implies to me.” PA Media
