Eddie Jones emphasises England youth at Red Rose unveiling

Whether going for youth is a dramatic departure from the approach of Jones’ predecessor Stuart Lancaster, who selected just six players aged 30 or over for his Rugby World Cup roster on home soil, is a moot point.

Grooming a successor

Not only is Jones concerned with building a team, but his brief also appears to contain getting someone ready to succeed him as England boss.

“One of the goals is by the 2019 World Cup to have a couple of the assistant coaches ready to take over as head coach,” added Jones. “I see that as a fundamental part of the job and there’s real talent in England.”

Jones would not be drawn on the who those people are, but ex-England skipper Steve Borthwick, who worked alongside him as forwards coach with Japan, is expected to join the backroom staff.

“Unique style”

Last, and perhaps most significantly, Jones has pledged to put together a pragmatic tactical approach reflecting the opposition in international rugby.

“One thing you have to do is create your own unique style of play,” continued Jones. “We won’t be copying the All Blacks, we will make our own style and I want the players to believe that 100 per cent.

“Every side is different. You can be a devil one day and an angel the next day. We don’t know what I’m going to be. We may go to Scotland on 6 February and it might be pouring with rain – we might have to win 1-0. That’s got to be the pragmatism of the team.

“Everyone says New Zealand are a great attacking team and they are – but they kick the ball more than any team in the world. You play to the situation. We want the All Blacks to be watching how England play, that would be nice wouldn’t it?”

Foreign coach, but no players abroad

There’s been no softening of stance by the RFU regarding foreign-based English players, however, who will remain ineligible to represent their country whilst playing abroad.

Jones has accepted this: “I’ve had a good chat to [RFU Chief Executive] Ian Ritchie. I want players who want to play for England, and to play for England you have to play in the Premiership.”

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