Eddie says a series loss to the Wallabies "would be a failure"

I think both problems will be solved quite soon, though not in time for the Aussie tour. Slade and Joseph, with Daly in the mix is a very good potential combo. Throw in Tuliagi (if ever fit) and Te'o and I don't think England have big issues here going forward. With the backrow, I predict this is Robshaw and Haskell's last England tour. Jones's options are growing. Apart from moving Itoje to 6 he has Clifford, Kvesic, and Underhill about to come in the mix. Number 8 is going to be perhaps the most competitive position of all with Vunipola, Beaumont and Hughes slugging it out for years (all 23 years old).

he he he

CUW that's not quite true. Coaching and playing contracts are not just like normal employment contracts. They define the full term of employment and prevent early termination from either party (excluding breaches). The only way he was able to end his Brumbies contract before the end of the contract was to get the Brumbies to agree. The financial loss would be the future earnings, which he recovered at a likely better paying role.

Only in the AB series......go figure aye when the ABs lose 500+ cap experience. I was actually seeking points from the Poms (after their 6N success) but me pommie mate's ears, were painted on hence my request, went nowhere.

For all his bluster and talk about Robshaw not being a 7 etc, Jones still has a problem with his flankers. Anyone who saw Jack Nowell rip the ball for Haskell during the weekend's semi-final will know that this will be an area of concern for England. For all the talk of a rejuvenated England, I feel that the same problems that were present during the world cup - the breakdown and the centres - still remain for the England team. I am trouble by the inability to produce quality flankers given the extensive academy system in this country,

Yeah well that's true, plus they're not due for their next win vs NZ for another six years or so, so Eddies not timed his run very well.

Well based on those restrictions Neil perhaps you shouldn't talk about rugby at all then.

"...expect to win.." and "..enormous scrap".... We plan to win ugly , but win we must.

Another poster who really has no conception of the the 6N tournament and what other teams in particular bring against the English. Please stop commenting on what you don't understand - and in case you're going to make it worse by telling us you; grew up there, lived there for a while, know someone who did - don't.

actually Jones will have a bigger problem than Cheika. the oz lads dont need to adjust to the environment - where as the english are coming from rainy windy cold soggy places. while the english will appreciate the conditions, they will have to get used to harder grounds and probably less winds (though this no one will be able to predict). he has chosen a big pack with kind of slower 3rd row (unless the young guys start). he has also chosen quite quick wings , while who will play centers is still known. the advantage most auzzy players have is , they have played against very good teams (though not as a unit). despite not winning much the experience will help them to adapt fast. still the whole thing auzzy do will remain on the backline alignment. who plays 11 12 13 14 15 and 21 22 23 (though most likely CLL will be backing up Foley).

@ Train Without A Station : " This is not the same as Jake White saying he wanted to leave the Brumbies early to be closer to his family in SA, then throwing his hat in the ring for every international role which came up before leaving for France." true but for sure White would have had to forego some financial benefit for early termination. at the end of the day it is an employment contract and like any employment contract it allows either party to terminate with appropriate notice. if u give that prescribed notice (for me its 3 months ) then u will not lose any money ; if not then there is a penalty recoverable from salary , end of contract benefits , pension fund , etc. white would have probably stuck to all the clauses. so that he will not lose any money. then he is free to negotiate with another employer (s). sometimes when u have an offer in hand from another employer , u can persuade them to pay ur fine for leaving early. if ur really valuable the new employer will meet that expense looking at future potential. for eg Sonny Bill walked out on his contract. its most likely Toulon paid off any penalty SBW had to pay the league team , but then due to his stature toulon would have made money selling his name :) but if the employee gets sacked before end of contract , then the employer pays compensation - as was the case with Lancaster & Co. (something in the range of 2 mio pounds)

Was kinda joking at the early exit...but point taken Six nations should have been renamed - We beat Wales, cause that was about the only challenge

You must have had to give up starts to get those wagers......

You keep referring to that match, I.e. Is that how they 'peaked' earlier as well...by beating the ABs? Clearly that was a one off. Before it they got dealt to in SA, then lost to both Aus and SA in the two weeks before the NZ match, and then got hammered by Wales 30-3 a few weeks later, and have been largely disappointing since, bar Eddies helping them fall over the line in the 6N. If you keep holding that match up as an example of England's typical success then you'll continue to be disappointed. Insecure? Is there a better description for England after their World Cup effort?

Yeah they did but they had the build up tests and all the pressure pre tournament going into it, and went back to club then six nations prep virtually straight after it. NZ and Oz played the final on 31 Oct and weren't required to play again until mid Feb where usually they would have had the EOYTs into November.

All from QLD. All write the same way. All complain about Cheika and NSW. All try to push QLD players. Triplets? Naaah, split personalities at most.

I wish that guide applied when Eng thrashed NZ in 2012. I do like how insecure people are that they look to all these reasons that Eng cant win. Im sure that if Aus win then Moore will thank those 50 year old games for their magical ability to influence the June series.

Of course he is positive. He is coaching the old enemy and he is not going to say we are touring to lose. Is he cocky? That is a different question and I think he is. Success breeds it.

If they beat Aus they wont be #1. And if they want to get to #1 they should expect to be able to beat Aus. Do I have to spell this out to everyone or are you all just trying to find fault because you dont like be challenged?

Nothing Eddie said is c0cky. What he said was that they should expect a series win and not to would be a failure. Just like what Aus will be thinking. Just like what SA will be thinking. Just like NZ will be thinking. He is trying to put them on the same mental level as the SANZAR teams for a reason.