Eddie Jones: RFU boss Bill Sweeney 'disappointed' but sees progress under England head coach

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney says he was «really disappointed» by England's Six Nations but still backs head coach Eddie Jones.

The RFU was criticised as being «dishonest» by former player Ugo Monye after claiming England made «solid progress» during the tournament.

There were calls for Jones to resign but Sweeney says he is the «right guy» to take England to the 2023 World Cup.

Sweeney added the RFU should have been more «up front» after defeat by France.

England won just two games for the second Six Nations in a row and finished third thanks to favourable results elsewhere.

«The feelings were genuine,» Sweeney said of the RFU's initial response to England's results.

«Really disappointed, massively frustrated. Should we have said that more up front on Saturday? Yes, probably, recognising fans' disappointment as well.

»We are all, as an organisation and to a person, incredibly disappointed with what happened this year in the Six Nations.

«You'd expect more from England and we demand more in terms of our results and our performances. Our emotions have been running very high. It still feels quite raw.»

England scored just eight tries across their five games in the tournament — fewer than the 12 scored in 2021.

The RFU backed Jones following Saturday's 25-13 defeat by Grand Slam champions France, saying he is building «a new England team», with young stars like Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward and Harry Randall coming through.

Monye criticised the governing body's statement on BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby Union Weekly and Sweeney said: «Winning two this year compared to winning two last year is not progress, and that's a fair criticism.

»But in terms of how we feel the team is progressing and how it's developing, in the