Smile, refuse to comment and move on.
We’ve been here before with Eddie Jones. The man has done wonders in transforming England from nearly-men to Grand Slam champions hell-bent on being best in the world.
He has taken a team that were dumped out of a World Cup they were hosting in the group stages and led them to 17 wins in a row [plus one under Stuart Lancaster’s watch]. His team has scored 137 points [16 tries] in four Six Nations games.
He is also a wind-up merchant.
Last year, before England defeated Ireland at Twickenham, he spoke about Ireland being a kick and chase team. He also spoke about Johnny Sexton getting whiplash and how his mother and father should be worried for their son’s health.
He told journalists, last December, that he regretted the Sexton comments and would apologise to the player. He has apologised, he says, but he has not spoken to Sexton.
This week, ahead of a game against Ireland that could lead to another Grand Slam, Jones trotted out an old line that he knew would rankle Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. He told reporters:
“It will be raining high balls. It will be kick and clap and the fans at the Aviva love it. They love that and get excited so we know what to expect.”
Kick and clap. Now, we Irish do appreciate a good kick-chase and aerial duel but to mark Ireland out as high ball merchants is incorrect. Ireland have been the ones hogging the ball and forcing the issue in all of their Six Nations games.
Over four games, with average possession stats of 59%, Ireland have kicked the ball 24 times per game [96 times in total]. Many of those kicks, against Italy and Wales particularly, were grubbers in behind pressing defensive lines. They have also passed more times than any other team in the championship.
Ireland made most passes in prev 3 years in 6N with 832, 887, 891. On 930 after 4 games this year.
— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) March 12, 2017
96 kicks compared to 16 or 17 from England? No. Eddie Jones’ men have kicked the ball 94 times so far.
Still, we know Jones is just bringing up the kicking jibes just to get a response. It’s a no-win for Ireland really – do they refuse to comment, refute him with facts or tear into him?
Whatever they say, or don’t say, Ireland should not sway from whatever game-plan they have in mind for this Saturday. This England team are damn well impressive but they are not unbeatable.
WATCH: Liverpool BOTTLED the title race 🤬 | Who will win the Premier League?
