England coach Eddie Jones isn’t looking for excuses after his team fought back to avoid an embarrassing thrashing in a 24-17 defeat by France in their Six Nations opener.
The World Cup runners-up had fallen 24-0 behind on Sunday and were too far from their usual high standards in the opening hour to secure victory at the Stade de France.
“We did not match their intensity early on. Why? We’d all like to know, if we knew we’d never lose a game,” said Jones, who had promised England would unleash a “brutal physicality” on the French.
“We were not good enough in the first half, we didn’t win the gain line.”
England were without brothers Mako and Billy Vunipola and lost powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi to a groin injury early on, but Jones would not use those setbacks as reasons for the loss.
“Tuilagi tweaked his groin. He’s a big gain line player for us. In those conditions we did miss him, but we’ve got to be good enough to deal with that,” the Australian said.
France’s second try was debatable as it appeared Charles Ollivon had knocked the ball on in the build-up but it was awarded after review.
“When I look at the scoresheet afterwards, it’s a try,” Jones said.
“If we think it’s not right, we suck it up and get on with and if it’s right, we suck it up and get on with it.”
Jones thought France should be given more credit for their performance, especially halfback Antoine Dupont.
The Stade de France crowd went into rapture after Ollivon scored both his tries as Les Bleus dominated England in a one-sided opening hour and Jones feared the result could have been worse.
“It was a game that could have been ugly for us, the crowd were going nuts,” he said.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
There is clearly a correlation between U20s and the National teams performance TWAS. Jake White who coached the SA U20s to a World Cup win then shortly thereafter got the Bok job and built his winning 2007 WC team around those youngsters. I predict a healthy future for the Tricolours. That also indicates a good future for Australia.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Actually if you look at The French club set up and it's serious competitiveness propped up by a host of World Class international players, then it's a bit of a mystery why they have underperformed lately. The fact that they could choose a very raw new squad and dominate England at least for that first hour underlines this. I see them being a big threat going forward.
peterj
Guest
I also think choosing Heinz over Dan Robson and Spencer has been a real missed opportunity too.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
No mate. It absolutely isn't. You need to look inside yourself a little more closely and be more honest.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Is that statement for you? The shoe fits.....
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
You're right. I should have pointed out what was written made no sense, rather than how badly it was authored. I'll try to be better.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Obviously French Rugby hasn't been good for their national team unfortunately. Their record has been: 2019 - 1st 2018 - 1st 2017 - 4th 2016 - 9th 2015 - 4th 2014 - 6th 2013 - 5th 2012 - 6th 2011 - 4th 2010 - 5th I wonder if we are just starting to see the impact of their focus on 20s filter through to senior level now after working on it since 2014/15? The Jiff limits were changed in 2013-14 by the FFR. I think this really shows how improving a national team is a long game. Measures implemented by the FFR 6 years ago are now seeing the benefit potentially at senior level.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Nor is it a place for petty nationalism.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
There are. There are also potentially better nines of a similar age. The problem is, Jones appears to have bullet proofed Youngs, and he's been cruising for years. He's had far too many poor games without any consequences or selection pressure.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You'd have to say that's a factor.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
most probably by lunch-time...
englishbob
Guest
Yeah more less but also some domestic form. The last 3/4 seasons Saracens have been head and shoulders above the other teams in England which made for a strong spine to pick from for the national side but the competition is a lot more even this year. However eddie sees things his own way, England try to employ a forward based game which is fine but as we've seen when Vunipola goes missing we're in dire straights. He has an ongoing habit with England of publicly dropping or criticising players (Nick Iseikwe, a great prospect was dropped and blamed for a loss to SA in 2018 in his early international career - he was 20 at the time and being played out of position). The issue is that England have far too many good players relative to the other homes nations for these constant disasters in important games. If you take the 6 most important games since EJ took over 2016 Paris - GS decider - won 2017 Dublin - GS decider - lost 2018 NZ @ Twickenham - lost from a winning position 2019 Cardiff - Twickenham against Scotland - Yokohama. Lost England have one once out of those six in games they should have won - selection played a hand in most of them. Given his resources it's not good enough, I suspect he'll be gone at the end of the year.
Ragnar
Roar Rookie
France could have gone all the way at the WC if their discipline had been better. But that is an old complaint about we French :crying: Long way to go yet but I live in infernal hope.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
The French have a few excellent nines right now. Incisive and aggressive. Even Parra is playing very well.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
This is not a casino.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
You are a generous optimist.
MMaaxx
Roar Rookie
Too many older foreign players not allowing their young players game time?
MMaaxx
Roar Rookie
Teams don’t need extra motivation when playing England. Eddie should zip it
MMaaxx
Roar Rookie
England needs to risk at scrum half. Youngs is as good as he’ll ever be which isn’t great. Surely there is a younger player with heaps of potential. Perhaps Neil can enlighten us?
MMaaxx
Roar Rookie
No one cares about world rankings in rugby