England vs Wales: Eddie Jones bids to block out the noise to keep Six Nations coronavirus chaos off the agenda
by Editor 2019
What was already the most unpredictable year in rugby union hit a new high – or low depending on how you view it – on Thursday when a second match was indefinitely postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, only for no one to talk about it.
First Eddie Jones batted away all questions about England’s cancelled finale against Italy, then Owen Farrell and George Ford did the same. The party line was that the only game that mattered right now was Saturday’s encounter with Wales, understandably so from their point of view given these games are separated by the slimmest of margins. Since Jones took the England reins, the average winning margin in the four Six Nations games with Wales has been fewer than six points, a figure that only rises by three when the three other Tests are added.
Yet there was still an uncomfortable refusal to discuss anything to do with the postponed trip to Rome, or the disappointment of not completing the championship next weekend. It stretched to the point where RFU staff were more than willing to step in and cull questions regarding the same virus that is serious enough for the governing body to release advice online about preventative measures that will be taken this weekend. Maybe it shouldn’t be ignored, after all.
But in a season where a coach has been sent home from the World Cup for betting offences, a typhoon forced numerous matches to be cancelled, the Premiership and European champions were relegated in the biggest salary-cap scandal seen in sport and the rest of English rugby were cut adrift from the top flight, a pandemic of the scale of coronavirus hardly feels out of place.
Normally Jones spends the entirety of a Wales Test week discussing one of the fiercest rivalries in rugby union, perhaps the fiercest, but this week it has all been about coronavirus and postponements, and when the news doesn’t quite fit the planned agenda, the Australian must find a way to keep his players focussed on the task at hand.
“There’s a lot of noise. You guys provide the noise. We’ve got to make sure they don’t listen to the noise,” Jones said.
“Just (by) the message we give them about what’s important, what they can control, what can’t they control. The only thing they can control is their performance against Wales.”
Having admitted to accepting a responsibility to keep the game’s theatre alive, talk of a worldwide virus doesn’t quite fit the narrative for what the Australian wants to achieve this week. It led to him labelling his approach ahead of the Welsh visit as a “silent comedy”, with Jones stressing that events surrounding the postponed Italy match will have no impact whatsoever on the squad this weekend.
“In all fairness, teams don’t operate like that,” he said. “Teams operate around what’s most important in that day. That’s how you operate in a sporting team. You don’t have discussions about further down the track because there might not be a further down the track for any of us.
“The only thing we can control is Saturday’s game and we’ve got absolute 100 per cent focus on Saturday’s game. Once Saturday’s game is finished then we’ll worry about what’s going to happen next.
Shape Created with Sketch.Ratings: England vs Ireland
Show all 31
left Created with Sketch.right Created with Sketch.
Shape Created with Sketch.Ratings: England vs Ireland
1/31 England vs Ireland
England secured a 24-12 victory over Ireland to retain their hopes of Six Nations glory, but who were the standout players? Click through the gallery to find out.
Getty
2/31 England: Elliot Daly – 8
One of his best displays under the high ball and looked assured at the back, not to mention threatening going forwards as he took an early catch of Ford’s up-and-under. Refusal to give up on Ford’s chip bagged him the second try, and gave the side confidence whenever he got on the ball.
EPA
3/31 Jonny May – 6
Another who impressed aerially but hasn’t had the chances to score that we usually expect, which seems to stem from his move to the right wing. Should have had a penalty when Henshaw took him out chasing his own kick.
Getty Images
4/31 Manu Tuilagi – 7
The simple things like running and tackling make such an impact when it’s Tuilagi doing them, as he constantly went over the gain line and left a bone-crunching tackle on Stander.
PA
5/31 Owen Farrell – 8
Tactical kicking was excellent throughout and he boasted a 100 per cent record from the tee. Risked getting dragged into a brawl with Stander that was entirely his own doing with a touch of breakdown skulduggery, but his leadership really stood out as one of the decisive influences.
Getty Images
6/31 Jonathan Joseph – 7
Justified selection on the wing as he was defensively astute in taking high ball and even showed a nice turn of pace to beat opposite man Conway in a foot race.
Getty Images
7/31 George Ford – 8
Switched on to pre-empt Sexton’s mistake and pounce on the ball for the opening try and served up the second with a delicate chip for Daly to chase. Tactical kicking was excellent throughout.
EPA
8/31 Ben Youngs – 7
Lovely kick through caused panic for the Irish and produced the first try and also linked well with another chip for Joseph to chase and regather. His running threat does seem to have diminished though, and replaced rather early for Willi Heinz.
REUTERS
9/31 Joe Marler – 8
Make a rock solid start in the scrum by winning the first penalty and did a good job of managing Furlong, though guilty of conceding a penalty shortly after the restart. On the whole he was one of the standout forwards.
Getty Images
10/31 Jamie George – 7
Best performance of the Six Nations so far as the lineout functioned well bar one attacking five-metre throw, which was poached by O’Mahony. Showed his useful turn of pace out wide when Farrell released him in the first half. Another early departure.
Getty Images
11/31 Kyle Sinckler – 7
Had the chance to show his gifted handling abilities with a couple of offloads in the tackle, and defended astutely with a monster stop on Kilcoyne after he came on.
PA
12/31 Maro Itoje – 8
England’s pack leader by performance once again delivered a masterclass that riled Ryan and Stander to the point it put them off their game. Defensively brilliant, with his blitz on Aki leading to a turnover standing out as a particular highlight.
Action Images via Reuters
13/31 George Kruis – 7
Another good performance from the lock who is making the place his own at the moment, and given the wealth of locks at England’s disposal, that takes some doing.
AFP via Getty Images
14/31 Courtney Lawes – 7
Brilliant defensive effort but managed to offer much more with the ball in hand, which helped him to the man of the match award. Decision to start him at blindside flanker paid off with England at their most physically imposing.
Action Images via Reuters
15/31 Sam Underhill – 7
Two surging tackles stood out as he rushed up on the Irish possession, though England’s dominance with ball in hand diminished his standout qualities somewhat.
AP
16/31 Tom Curry – 7
Guilty of missing the tackle on Henshaw for Ireland’s first try, but overall he coped well and moved back to blindside upon the introduction of Ewels.
PA
17/31 Ireland: Jordan Larmour – 5
Made the mistake of not calling a mark in the build-up to the first try and picked up an injury early in the second half that looked to hinder him, before departing soon after for Keith Earls.
Action Images via Reuters
18/31 Andrew Conway – 6
Strong aerially as he gave Joseph and Daly something to think about but given little possession to work with, and found himself outgassed by Joseph in a foot race.
Action Images via Reuters
19/31 Robbie Henshaw – 7
A strong showing all things considered as he made the most incisive run of Ireland’s afternoon to score their first try. Has enjoyed his return to the international arena after injury.
Getty Images
20/31 Bundee Aki – 7
Made two powerful runs that got Ireland rare go-forward ball and secured a turnover on Lawes when the lock was isolated, though he also experienced similar when Itoje caught him deep in back-field.
PA
21/31 Jacob Stockdale – 5
Anonymous with ball in hand and guilty of once again dallying on his try line to concede points. Failed to learn the lessons from Dublin 2019.
PA
22/31 Johnny Sexton – 4
Made a very poor start to the match and it appeared to knock his confidence considerably. Dropped Youngs’ kick on the line that gifted a try to Ford, then spurned three very kickable points from the tee. Failed to get himself on top of the game and Ireland suffered as a result.
Getty Images
23/31 Conor Murray – 5
His kicking was impressive from hand to start with, but his long-range touch-finders didn’t give makeshift wing Joseph anything to think about as the ball kept sailing over him and into touch.
AP
24/31 Cian Healy – 5
Departed in the first half with a nasty-looking injury that left him in considerable pain, which he picked up deep in the breakdown. Replacement Dave Kilcoyne found himself on the end of a number of powerful tackles as he struggled with the physicality.
REUTERS
25/31 Rob Herring – 6
Felt the pressure at the lineout but that was largely to do with the number of jumping options England had, and all things considered he coped as well as he could hope.
Getty Images
26/31 Tadhg Furlong – 5
Struggled up against Marler as the more experienced prop won out in the scrum battle, and he provided very little go forward with the ball as Ireland struggled for possession.
AFP via Getty Images
27/31 Devin Toner – 5
Wasn’t able to leave his mark on the contest either in the loose or, more importantly, in the lineout.
AFP via Getty Images
28/31 James Ryan – 6
Tried his upmost to get Ireland’s defence firing and engaged in a fascinating head-to-head with Itoje that boiled over on more than one occasion, but came off as an obvious second best. Still, he was Ireland’s best forward.
AFP via Getty Images
29/31 Peter O’Mahony – 5
Stole one English lineout when the pressure was on but otherwise did little of note, and guilty of throwing a horror pass to Stockdale that resulted in a knock-on.
Getty Images
30/31 Josh van der Flier – 5
Fairly anonymous at the breakdown as he struggled to live with the pace that England played at. Replaced by Caelan Doris on the hour.
AFP via Getty Images
31/31 CJ Stander – 6
The sight of him topless and jumping onto Itoje as the two brawled was one of the more surprising incidents witnessed. Did well to get up from Tuilagi’s enormous tackle, and tried his best to take on the burden of Ireland’s carrying with little result.
REUTERS
1/31 England vs Ireland
England secured a 24-12 victory over Ireland to retain their hopes of Six Nations glory, but who were the standout players? Click through the gallery to find out.
Getty
2/31 England: Elliot Daly – 8
One of his best displays under the high ball and looked assured at the back, not to mention threatening going forwards as he took an early catch of Ford’s up-and-under. Refusal to give up on Ford’s chip bagged him the second try, and gave the side confidence whenever he got on the ball.
EPA
3/31 Jonny May – 6
Another who impressed aerially but hasn’t had the chances to score that we usually expect, which seems to stem from his move to the right wing. Should have had a penalty when Henshaw took him out chasing his own kick.
Getty Images
4/31 Manu Tuilagi – 7
The simple things like running and tackling make such an impact when it’s Tuilagi doing them, as he constantly went over the gain line and left a bone-crunching tackle on Stander.
PA
5/31 Owen Farrell – 8
Tactical kicking was excellent throughout and he boasted a 100 per cent record from the tee. Risked getting dragged into a brawl with Stander that was entirely his own doing with a touch of breakdown skulduggery, but his leadership really stood out as one of the decisive influences.
Getty Images
6/31 Jonathan Joseph – 7
Justified selection on the wing as he was defensively astute in taking high ball and even showed a nice turn of pace to beat opposite man Conway in a foot race.
Getty Images
7/31 George Ford – 8
Switched on to pre-empt Sexton’s mistake and pounce on the ball for the opening try and served up the second with a delicate chip for Daly to chase. Tactical kicking was excellent throughout.
EPA
8/31 Ben Youngs – 7
Lovely kick through caused panic for the Irish and produced the first try and also linked well with another chip for Joseph to chase and regather. His running threat does seem to have diminished though, and replaced rather early for Willi Heinz.
REUTERS
9/31 Joe Marler – 8
Make a rock solid start in the scrum by winning the first penalty and did a good job of managing Furlong, though guilty of conceding a penalty shortly after the restart. On the whole he was one of the standout forwards.
Getty Images
10/31 Jamie George – 7
Best performance of the Six Nations so far as the lineout functioned well bar one attacking five-metre throw, which was poached by O’Mahony. Showed his useful turn of pace out wide when Farrell released him in the first half. Another early departure.
Getty Images
11/31 Kyle Sinckler – 7
Had the chance to show his gifted handling abilities with a couple of offloads in the tackle, and defended astutely with a monster stop on Kilcoyne after he came on.
PA
12/31 Maro Itoje – 8
England’s pack leader by performance once again delivered a masterclass that riled Ryan and Stander to the point it put them off their game. Defensively brilliant, with his blitz on Aki leading to a turnover standing out as a particular highlight.
Action Images via Reuters
13/31 George Kruis – 7
Another good performance from the lock who is making the place his own at the moment, and given the wealth of locks at England’s disposal, that takes some doing.
AFP via Getty Images
14/31 Courtney Lawes – 7
Brilliant defensive effort but managed to offer much more with the ball in hand, which helped him to the man of the match award. Decision to start him at blindside flanker paid off with England at their most physically imposing.
Action Images via Reuters
15/31 Sam Underhill – 7
Two surging tackles stood out as he rushed up on the Irish possession, though England’s dominance with ball in hand diminished his standout qualities somewhat.
AP
16/31 Tom Curry – 7
Guilty of missing the tackle on Henshaw for Ireland’s first try, but overall he coped well and moved back to blindside upon the introduction of Ewels.
PA
17/31 Ireland: Jordan Larmour – 5
Made the mistake of not calling a mark in the build-up to the first try and picked up an injury early in the second half that looked to hinder him, before departing soon after for Keith Earls.
Action Images via Reuters
18/31 Andrew Conway – 6
Strong aerially as he gave Joseph and Daly something to think about but given little possession to work with, and found himself outgassed by Joseph in a foot race.
Action Images via Reuters
19/31 Robbie Henshaw – 7
A strong showing all things considered as he made the most incisive run of Ireland’s afternoon to score their first try. Has enjoyed his return to the international arena after injury.
Getty Images
20/31 Bundee Aki – 7
Made two powerful runs that got Ireland rare go-forward ball and secured a turnover on Lawes when the lock was isolated, though he also experienced similar when Itoje caught him deep in back-field.
PA
21/31 Jacob Stockdale – 5
Anonymous with ball in hand and guilty of once again dallying on his try line to concede points. Failed to learn the lessons from Dublin 2019.
PA
22/31 Johnny Sexton – 4
Made a very poor start to the match and it appeared to knock his confidence considerably. Dropped Youngs’ kick on the line that gifted a try to Ford, then spurned three very kickable points from the tee. Failed to get himself on top of the game and Ireland suffered as a result.
Getty Images
23/31 Conor Murray – 5
His kicking was impressive from hand to start with, but his long-range touch-finders didn’t give makeshift wing Joseph anything to think about as the ball kept sailing over him and into touch.
AP
24/31 Cian Healy – 5
Departed in the first half with a nasty-looking injury that left him in considerable pain, which he picked up deep in the breakdown. Replacement Dave Kilcoyne found himself on the end of a number of powerful tackles as he struggled with the physicality.
REUTERS
25/31 Rob Herring – 6
Felt the pressure at the lineout but that was largely to do with the number of jumping options England had, and all things considered he coped as well as he could hope.
Getty Images
26/31 Tadhg Furlong – 5
Struggled up against Marler as the more experienced prop won out in the scrum battle, and he provided very little go forward with the ball as Ireland struggled for possession.
AFP via Getty Images
27/31 Devin Toner – 5
Wasn’t able to leave his mark on the contest either in the loose or, more importantly, in the lineout.
AFP via Getty Images
28/31 James Ryan – 6
Tried his upmost to get Ireland’s defence firing and engaged in a fascinating head-to-head with Itoje that boiled over on more than one occasion, but came off as an obvious second best. Still, he was Ireland’s best forward.
AFP via Getty Images
29/31 Peter O’Mahony – 5
Stole one English lineout when the pressure was on but otherwise did little of note, and guilty of throwing a horror pass to Stockdale that resulted in a knock-on.
Getty Images
30/31 Josh van der Flier – 5
Fairly anonymous at the breakdown as he struggled to live with the pace that England played at. Replaced by Caelan Doris on the hour.
AFP via Getty Images
31/31 CJ Stander – 6
The sight of him topless and jumping onto Itoje as the two brawled was one of the more surprising incidents witnessed. Did well to get up from Tuilagi’s enormous tackle, and tried his best to take on the burden of Ireland’s carrying with little result.
REUTERS
“The only thing I’m focussed on is Saturday’s game against Wales. We’ve got fantastic administrators. I’m sure they’re sitting in a nice teak (Six Nations) office in Dublin now, contemplating what to do.”
Amid the distractions, it has been lost that not only are England’s Six Nations hopes still on the line, but there is silverware up for grabs in the form of the Triple Crown. Having beaten Scotland and Ireland, England can at least secure themselves a trophy regardless of what Grand Slam-favourites France achieve over the next eight days, and with that added to the intense rivalry that exists between the neighbouring countries, there is still plenty on the menu to make this game appeal to fans amid the chaos.
“England versus Wales games are a little bit different, aren’t they?” added Jones. “Since I’ve been coaching, the average points difference is six points. They are tough affairs, it goes down to the wire.”
One way that Wales have had success over England is by beating them physically, with their 2019 victories in Cardiff – 21-13 in the Six Nations and 13-6 in a World Cup warm-up – featuring dogged defensive displays and a ruthlessness to take their chances where England failed. Those sides were steered by Warren Gatland, and though Wayne Pivac is now at the helm, Jones believes the core signs of that Welsh style remain visible.
“Particularly Wales under Warren have been one of the most physical teams in the world,” said Jones. “We saw that in the World Cup when they ran South Africa close in that semi-final in a tough, physical game. So they always bring that to the party and then Pivac’s obviously trying to add a more passing attack game, but they’ll still bring that physical quality.
“You never like to lose to Wales, and we lost last year. We were in the position we were in at half-time (10-3 up) and we’ve learned from that. That was one of the key games that got us in our best condition for the World Cup. It’s still a game that I’m sure every player who played in it, it irks them. It certainly irks me.”
If England make up for last year’s loss it may stand for little, with Jones admitting that the Triple Crown is not their motivation this season, and that will multiply if France beat Scotland on Sunday and go on to shoot for the Grand Slam against Ireland next weekend that at this stage remains on. Jones and his side could find themselves with their feet up watching that Paris fixture clutching on to the faintest of hopes that they will have the chance to win the title at some point over the remainder of 2020, but just like the end of this championship, it will all feel a little out of place.