The English media have turned on Eddie Jones after England’s defeat to France in their Six Nations opener in Paris.
Jones had previously said in the build-up to Sunday’s clash that their hosts would have to expect “absolute brutality”, adding that he wanted his side to be remembered as “the greatest team to ever play rugby”.
Those comments couldn’t stop England crumbling to defeat in the Stade de France, where despite a spirited second-half fightback, the World Cup finalists went down to a 91 – (defeat.)
And, some corners of the media did not hold back in their assessment of what was a sluggish performance.
The Guardian wrote: “The World Cup finalists were about as irresistibly brutal as a damp paper bag for the first hour of a wet Sunday afternoon in Paris and were joyfully ripped apart by a French team not so much revitalized as reborn. ”
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph described the defeat as “one of the worst performances of the Eddie Jones era.”
However, perhaps the most scathing criticism came from Virgin Media pundit Matt Williams.
” Eddie Jones this week has been arrogant. He said they want to be the best team of all-time. Look at that performance there. Why would you say something stupid like that? Why put the pressure on your players?
If you’re reading this on your mobile and want to sign up for all Welsh rugby updates from WalesOnline, follow this link, and follow the instructions on your phone to sign up.
Alternatively, send RUGBY to 473 in WhatsApp. Then save the number to your phone’s contacts as: WalesOnline Rugby (case sensitive and no punctuation).
Your phone number will never be shared with any other users, nor will it be used for marketing purposes.
For more information on signing up, you can read more here.
“If you’re sitting there and you’re an England player, you’re going, ‘Coach, shut up. Don’t’. Why poke the bear? The French came out and they just gave it to them. That’s just a bunch of kids, a lot of those guys.
“That’s when England fail: they get arrogant and believe they are unbeatable. The French came out and gave it to them. I am absolutely delighted. ”
(Image: Getty Images)
Writing in the daily Mail,
Sir Clive Woodward said that the team had “lost their magic”.
He added that the media hype they stir up had made “them all look rather stupid”, while making Scotland the firm favorite to win at Murrayfield this weekend.
He said: “It gives me no great pleasure to say I saw this coming.
“France are on the up and, already sharpened by the arrival of Shaun Edwards, defended well at key moments. England arrived with the wrong team and clearly have not yet shaken off that depressing World Cup final result. “
The Telegraph’s Gavin Mairs added: “England only managed to aggravate their World Cup scars, producing the worst first-half performance of Jones’s tenure. France, meanwhile, appeared to relish making his pre-match big talk seem foolish, as did their supporters. It is hard to remember a more electric and emotional atmosphere at the Saint-Denis stadium.
“The alarming truth for England is that despite drawing on the core of their World Cup final side, they were outplayed for much of this contest by a French side constructed by Galthie with a view to building for the next World Cup in (Read More)
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings