England rugby

England dealt World Cup blow as Farrell suspended

 The first-five initially escaped sanction from the Six Nations judiciary who downgraded his sending off to a yellow card, but following an appeal by World Rugby his red card has been reinstated and he's been suspended.

An independent disciplinary hearing on Wednesday morning upheld his red card, handing the playmaker a four-match suspension including Pool D fixtures against Argentina and Japan.

England's 29-10 loss to Ireland on Sunday served as the first match of his suspension, and he will also sit out the final warm-up fixture against Fiji this weekend.

Clive Woodward partially blames England loss on Eddie Jones

And that’s exactly what Woodward managed done in his Daily Mail column.

The 2003 Rugby World Cup took just two sentences to mention his former colleague and media-sparing partner. Woodward’s criticism of Jones has become a running gag for many, but the jokes seemed to have been lost coach turned pundit.

Vunipola left out of England's Six Nations squad

Other high-profile omissions include experienced wings Jonny May and Jack Nowell.

Meanwhile, Borthwick has recalled 95-cap veteran prop Dan Cole, 35, who last played for England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

Northampton fly-half Fin Smith is one of five uncapped players in the squad.

London Irish wing Ollie Hassell-Collins, Gloucester hooker George McGuigan, and Harlequins pair Cadan Murley and Jack Walker are the four other new caps.

     

'I thought it was coming,' Jones says after England sacking

Jones was sacked by the Rugby Football Union earlier this month following a year in which England won only five of their 12 tests. He was replaced by former captain Steve Borthwick.

Jones, who helped England win three Six Nations titles and led them to the 2019 World Cup final during his seven years at the helm, said he could "feel the change in the wind".

"When you have been coaching for a while you feel when your support is starting to wane and I knew we had to have good results in the autumn," the 62-year-old told the BBC.

Eddie Jones may already have a new job

Jones was sacked on Tuesday, less than nine weeks before England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland and just nine months before the World Cup starts.

His seven-year reign came to an end following a Rugby Football Union review of the Autumn Nations Series, which produced defeats against Argentina and South Africa, plus a draw with New Zealand.

It was England’s worst year since 2008, comprising of six defeats, a draw and five wins.

Jones sacked by England after poor season

That rare supporter reaction to a comprehensive 27-13 defeat by a weakened South Africa - and Jones's subsequent comment that he did not care what anybody else thought - appears to have been the final straw for the anonymous panel that sat to review the tests, that also included defeat by Argentina, a draw against New Zealand and victory over Japan.

Another former England player has called out Eddie Jones

Jones never seems far from controversy and his latest comments have sparked a reaction from all corners of the game. He provoked such a response by arguing that privately educated athletes do not face as many challenges on their way to becoming a professional, and therefore struggle to develop the leadership skills needed to compete on the international stage.

Burrell, who attended to a state school, took issue with Jones’ remarks, pointing out that these skills can be learnt throughout a career in rugby.

England prop 'scared' by risks in wake of 'awful' Ryan Jones news

Speaking after Ryan Jones revealed he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia, Marler, 32, called the former Wales captain's diagnosis "awful".

The 83-cap England man recalled a "big blow" in a match that knocked him out.

"I was out cold and I remember being in the physio room next and the kit-man came in. I just broke down and I had no recollection of having kids," he said.

Speaking to TalkSport, Marler added: "It just really scared the life out of me."

Eddie Jones in angry exchange with Australia fan after being labelled 'traitor'

Footage posted on social media shows Jones being baited by a man wearing a Wallabies cap and holding a pint of beer.

The supporter points a finger at Jones as he walks on to the pitch and says “you’re a traitor” twice, provoking a furious reaction.

Jones stalks over to the stand and replies “come here and say it” three times, causing the surprised fan to back off, and is then ushered away by a member of the ground’s security staff.

The security guard can he heard saying to the fan “I have spoken to you before”.

England number eight's progress pleases head coach Eddie Jones

The hard-running Saracens number eight scored England's try in their series-levelling 25-17 win in Brisbane.

Returning to the squad after a 15-month absence, Vunipola has reminded head coach Jones what he can do.

"Billy is getting fitter. He has a while to go but we are pleased with his progress," said Jones.

"We picked him on the back of his improving club form and he's got better, and with us he is getting fitter and his commitment to be the best player he can be is improving too."