Eddie Jones hits back at 'sad' Clive Woodward criticism
Eddie Jones has hit back at "sad" critic Clive Woodward and insisted he will leave England in a good shape when he eventually departs.
Jones is under pressure after he watched England conclude a dismal Autumn Nations Series with Saturday's 27-13 loss to South Africa, who were without their European-based players but still inflicted a sixth defeat of 2022 on the hosts at Twickenham.
It completed the nation’s worst year since 2008 and the Rugby Football Union is now conducting a review, which will inevitably decide if Jones continues until next year’s World Cup as planned or leaves his post early.
RFU chief Bill Sweeney admitted "results are not where we expect them to be" and Woodward, who masterminded England’s solitary World Cup win 19 years ago, was yet again fierce in his criticism of Jones on Sunday – labelling rugby in this country as a shambles and insisting the weekend defeat was "one of the most depressing games I’ve seen at HQ."
"I feel sad for him [Woodward]. If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do," Jones, who had already agreed to step down after the 2023 World Cup in France, told Men’s Health UK.
"I’m 62 now and I think in pure coaching terms I am coaching better than I ever have. Results aren’t always perfect, but I’m happy with how I have been coaching.
"After this, I want to do something really meaningful. I’ve enjoyed England a lot, it was a bit of a rescue job at the start, now rebuilding, and I am confident I will leave things in good shape."
England were booed off at Twickenham after defeat to the Springboks, which meant their record for 2022 finished at five wins, one draw and six losses.
Scotland, Ireland, France, Australia, Argentina and South Africa have all beaten