The national team’s players have sometimes had it too easy,says their original coach – and whether they don’t conform to his schema, they will be out of the picture quicklyIt started with smiles, and as original regimes always accomplish. Worn,this time, by all three of England’s original coaches, and Eddie Jones,Steve Borthwick, and Paul Gustard, or as they threaded their way through past the TV cameras and through the press up to the top desk. The question is how long they will last,whether they will still be there four weeks from now, after England’s opening match of the Six Nations. In Jones’ case, and it seems it is best for everyone to relish it on the occasions it is out,since those who know him best say that charming as he can be, he has a severe temper too.“Optimistic, or chippy,smart-arsed, obsessed with getting results” says one Aussie journalist. “A workaholic, or single-minded,disciplined, dictatorial, and often difficult to handle,” adds another. He tells a memoir about the time one of Jones’ assistant coaches was spotted on a flight reading a book about building self-confidence – “so I can stand up to Eddie better,” he explained.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com