England are Grand Slam champions and have earned that title the hard way.
While many have lazily dismissed them as mere brutes and hit-men, Eddie Jones has turned a squad of nearly-men into world beaters. 2016 saw them finish with a W: 13 D: 0 L:0 record.
They are more than capable of winning the battle of inches and of tearing teams apart through attacking play.
Unfairly cast as mere thugs and bullies, England won the 2016 Six Nations as they are smarter than everyone else https://t.co/jfeJMEjbyo
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 19, 2016
When it comes to their two public faces, however, there is a lot left to be desired.
This morning, at the 2017 Six Nations launch, Eddie Jones and his captain Dylan Hartley faced a large press pack to discuss their plans to retain the championship. Jones sees New Zealand as world rugby’s standard bearers but, for now, his England team have to beat what is put in front of them.
Funnily enough, when there was more questions about banter, Kiwi coaches, and team spirit, Hartley’s straight-arm tackle on a defenceless Sean O’Brien [below] was a hot topic.
Hartley chose to blame ‘tackle technique’ while Jones was as blithely brusque as ever. Asked how Hartley would fair against France after six weeks out from rugby, Jones remarked:
“He’s had 60 weeks off mate; he’s an expert at it.”
Last week, Jones had left the England captaincy open but he chose the launch to let the world know the controversial hooker had his backing. Jones turned to Hartley and said:
“I still haven’t told you, have I mate? Maybe this is a good time. I’d like to officially announce that Dylan is captain.”
The retained captain is claiming his crass tackle on O’Brien, who was hit in the back of the head, was punished due to tougher new sanctions on high hits. Those tackle laws came into full effect on January 1, three weeks after Hartley’s impact on O’Brien.
“I think we are seeing a lot of it now,” he said. “You are seeking cards every week for head contacts.
“I think as players we are going to adapt. We are aware of it and the reasons why we are doing it are important as well because player safety is paramount. I got that wrong and I have been working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Says the man with eight previous bans and 62 weeks of bans.
Not a hint of apology to O’Brien – the man that needed to be helped off the field of play. It was arrogant, base and lacking in any sort of regard for a fellow rugby professional.
