RFU chief Bill Sweeney feels England can win World Cup under head coach
Written by admin on March 25, 2022
Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney says he was “really disappointed” by England’s Six Nations but believes they can win the 2023 World Cup under head coach Eddie Jones.
The RFU was criticised as being “dishonest” by former player Ugo Monye after it claimed England made “solid progress” during the tournament.
There were calls for Jones to resign but Sweeney has backed the coach.
Asked if he thought England could win the World Cup, he said: “Yeah, I do.”
Sweeney added: “People will always go back to that semi-final [against New Zealand in 2019], a magical match and some people say the best game England has ever played.
“We had a clean sweep of the autumn internationals last year, we beat the defending world champions at Twickenham, we have had a disappointing Six Nations in 2022, things change very quickly, very rapidly.
“The question then becomes, do we believe we are in a position to make that happen? Where we sit now, we do believe we are.”
Jones has been England coach since 2016, winning the Grand Slam in his first season in charge and then two more Six Nations championships in 2017 and 2020. He also led them to the World Cup final in 2019.
This year, England won just two games for the second Six Nations in a row and finished third thanks to favourable results elsewhere.
Sweeney added the RFU should have been more “up front” after Saturday’s 25-13 defeat by Grand Slam winners France.
In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport Editor Dan Roan, Sweeney admitted the RFU’s initial response to England’s Six Nations could have been improved by recognising “the frustration of the fans”.
He added: “[We could] have said we are deeply disappointed and know you are as well.”
Asked if it was time for Jones to go, Sweeney said: “You always have concerns, you always want to make sure you have the right balance, resources and personnel to do the job.
“When you are not performing well, of course you think ‘do we have it right?’ You have to take the emotion out, stay rational and think about the things you are doing… and look at what you are aiming to achieve, if you feel on track and stay the course. If not, make a decision.”
We are not looking at World Cup to detriment of Six Nations’
Jones was the subject of further criticism for repeatedly saying England’s Six Nations losses were a good learning experience for younger players as they build towards the World Cup.
Former British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton believed this approach was “disrespectful” to the Six Nations.
Asked if England were focusing too much on the future, Sweeney told BBC Sport: “I would refute that 100%.
“The Six Nations is the best tournament in the world. We desperately wanted to win, the players wanted to win it.
“It just so happens they are en route to the World Cup, but we are not looking at the World Cup to the detriment of the Six Nations tournament.”
