Eddie Jones has been given the full backing of the RFU despite another disappointing Guinness Six Nations campaign.
England won just two matches this campaign and scored fewer tries than in 2021.
Despite results, the RFU are happy with the progression of the England team.
An RFU spokesperson said:
“Eddie Jones is building a new England team and against a clear strategy we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made during this Six Nations.”
“The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team.”
Eddie Jones and the RFU will once again analyse their failed campaign. However, he will enter the process knowing that his future is secure with the 2023 World Cup in France just 18 months away.
“Eddie and his team of coaches and players will conduct a full review as is normal after each tournament,” the spokesperson said.
“The RFU advisory panel – which consists of board and executive members, former players and coaches, along with Eddie – will also undertake a debrief to discuss the strong positive steps forward during this campaign and the areas we need to address.
“The advisory group has been in place since 2019 and it meets regularly both during and after each tournament to evaluate clear targets and progression.”
Ugo Monye feels that the RFU’s claim that England made “solid progress” was dishonest.
Where can England improve?
The key area for analysis will be England’s faltering attack.
Jones entered the Six Nations without captain Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson, Jonny May and Manu Tuilagi due to injury. The quartet have all been key parts of Eddie Jones’ England attack through his tenure.
Injuries are by no means an excuse for Jones, but there is no doubting that their attack would be stronger with them in.
The biggest concern for England will be a lack of strong ball carriers to replace the injury prone Manu Tuilagi.
England’s over-reliance on Tuilagi has shown this campaign as the attack failed to adapt.
Additionally, England missed the prolific try-scoring capabilities of Jonny May and Anthony Watson.
Jones asks fans to ‘keep the faith’
After defeat in Paris, Jones asked for England fans to keep the faith with him and the project.
Jones said: “They [England fans] have got to have some faith,” Jones said. “I think I have done a reasonable job for England over the past seven years.
“We are going through a period now where we are rebuilding the team and it takes time. Look at the French team, it took them three years to win the [Six Nations] Championship.
“We have rebuilt the side from the last Six Nations. I think the progress is very positive. The results aren’t the results we would like.
“We would all like to be winning tournaments and be top of the table, but we are not quite good enough to do that now, but within the next 12 to 14 months when we prepare for the World Cup, we will be.”
England will next play on June 19th against the Barbarians at Twickenham before a three-Test series in Australia.
By BENJAMIN REDWOOD
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