Eddie Jones fires up England
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Eddie Jones fires up England
The England head coach has begun a verbal sparring ahead of the June Test series. Jones challenged his Grand Slam-winning players to "rewrite history" and become the first England team to win a Test series in Australia while warning them that no-one is guaranteed a place on board the flight in June unless
"they carry on improving and are mentally ready for the next step up".
England have won just three of the 17 Tests played in Australia against the Wallabies, one of which was the 2003 World Cup final, and have generally had a miserable time of it Down Under.
"Perhaps it's time to improve on that record. It's time to make the history books look a little better!" said Jones, "If I didn't think it was possible to take a squad of players over to Australia and win a series, I shouldn't be coaching the national side. There will be no excuses. We have so many fine players to choose from."
He added: "The players have gone back to their clubs and if I was one of them, I'd be so excited about the prospect of playing some crucial games for their clubs with the chance of proving they deserve to be on the plane to Australia for a fantastic Test tour."
Jones intends to take "32 or 33" players to face the Wallabies, declaring that he is still on the lookout for "new guys to come in and liven up the squad" between now and the end of May.
England have won just three of the 17 Tests played in Australia against the Wallabies, one of which was the 2003 World Cup final, and have generally had a miserable time of it Down Under.
"Perhaps it's time to improve on that record. It's time to make the history books look a little better!" said Jones, "If I didn't think it was possible to take a squad of players over to Australia and win a series, I shouldn't be coaching the national side. There will be no excuses. We have so many fine players to choose from."
He added: "The players have gone back to their clubs and if I was one of them, I'd be so excited about the prospect of playing some crucial games for their clubs with the chance of proving they deserve to be on the plane to Australia for a fantastic Test tour."
Jones intends to take "32 or 33" players to face the Wallabies, declaring that he is still on the lookout for "new guys to come in and liven up the squad" between now and the end of May.
