Eddie Jones Interview - What he said

20 March 2016 10:24

England coach Eddie Jones met the media in the wake of their Grand Slam win in France.

Here are some of the highlights of what he had to say.

On his interval team talk at the Stade de France following an "ordinary first half"?

"It was probably the most forceful one I've given during the Six Nations. I felt we were playing within ourselves, just thinking we had to go through the motions to win the game. We just needed more courage about the way we were playing."

On man of the match Billy Vunipola?

"Billy is a young kid who loves playing rugby and who would play in the backyard. He loves being one of the boys. He is in the dressing room now, dancing, drinking a protein shake while all the other boys are having beers. He is big and he is quite powerful and he has got rugby sense."

On whether his players had to attend the post-match function despite the late kick-off.

"Yeah I believe so. It's France. TIF - this is France."

On whether Grand Slam winners can assume they will be selected?

"They've definitely got some bonus points. Some guys have got more bonus points than others. A guy like Chris Robshaw, he's got a lot of bonus points. Did you see him at the end? He was busted at the end, absolutely busted. The last tackle he made, we kick chased to the corner, Owen Farrell made the tackle and he was the next bloke in. He could barely pick up his feet. That's the desire of that guy being better. So he's got a lot of bonus points."

On Dan Cole?

"Dan scrummed well and even did some ball carrying! I said to him after the game 'you're not supposed to ball carry, you're supposed to tackle and scrum'. But he had some good carries. He's getting back to the form where he is the number one tighthead in the world."

On who was leading the victory celebrations?

"James Haskell is normally the one. He's a good character and you can't underestimate his qualities. He keeps a lot of the banter going - but a few of the younger players tell me they have a few good dance moves."

On why there will not be a 13-year wait for the next Grand Slam?

"We'll work harder, work smarter and pick better players."

On the appointment of two more assistant coaches:

"We'll definitely add a scrum coach and we're looking for one at the moment. The scrum coach will be permanent. I'll add someone to help me with attack, but only on a part-time basis because I've got to find the right person. The assistant attack coach will be temporary because I've got to find someone with exactly the same philosophy as me."

On personal satisfaction at winning the Grand Slam:

"I rang my mother last night, she said you look tired. I said yeah I probably am. It's been fun."

Source: PA