When Eddie Jones was trying to motivate his Australia teams before playing England he instinctively knew which green and gold buttons to press. Jones is employed by England and sledging the great southern land of his birth is becoming less straightforward. The routine home win anticipated by Twickenham’s patrons suddenly feels as nailed on as World Rugby’s recommendation of South Africa to host the 2023 World Cup. Of course English rugby has good reason to be grateful to Jones for picking up the pieces so expertly in the wake of the 2015 World Cup implosion. I’ve got a nice new white English pen; if I throw that, it’s going to create some great television.

Source: The Guardian November 17, 2017 22:00 UTC