Eddie Jones admits England revenge mission as axed boss plots World Cup downfall

18 January 2023 , 12:32

627     0

Eddie Jones is ready to take revenge after his England sacking (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Eddie Jones has admitted he is ready to take revenge on England ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup in France. Jones took charge of England in 2015, but was sacked by the RFU in December after a poor run of form.

Despite his sacking, the 62-year-old has already made a return to the sport after being appointed head coach of his native Australia for the second time in his career. Jones initially coached the Wallabies between 2001 and 2005.

Ahead of his return, the fighting talk has already began with the Tasmanian outlining his plans to get one over on his former employers.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of this year's World Cup, he said: "I’m thinking about retribution, because the most important thing is to get Australia playing really consistently well. If we happen to meet England on the way, well and good.

"I might have a conversation with some of the players and not with the administration. Then we will get on with the battle. You could maybe pick it now — the quarter-final (Australia v England) could be in Marseille."

England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife

Eddie Jones has returned to Australia (PA)

Speaking to Sky Sports, Jones did admit that there was still an element of 'disappointment' surrounding his sacking from the England setup. He commented: "There is obviously still a tinge of disappointment you don’t get to finish a project.

"There was a difference of opinion. I felt that we were where we needed to be, but the RFU did not — which is their prerogative so I don’t hold any recriminations against them.

"The longer you’re in the job, the more exposed you are to being sacked, particularly at that level. When you’re not meeting the expectations of yourself, the team, the union, and the fans, you know there are going to be problems. The wind changes a bit and the way people look at you.

"When you’ve been in the game a while you realise you’re getting closer to the end than you’d like to be. I didn’t want to hang on. I wanted to do the job with their (RFU) support and the support had gone so it was a good decision for both."

Joshua Lees