England heading in ‘right direction’ under Eddie Jones despite poor Six Nations

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney acknowledges that England’s failed Six Nations fell below expectations but remains convinced Eddie Jones is the right man to guide the side into the World Cup.

England finished third in the table after slumping to three defeats for a second consecutive year, yet the RFU’s initial reaction was to state that “we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made”.

It was an attempt to end any uncertainty over Jones’ future, but it provoked an outcry with former England wing Ugo Monye and retired Wales captain Sam Warburton accusing Twickenham of being “dishonest”.

“The feelings were genuine. Really disappointed, massively frustrated. Should we have said that more up front on Saturday? Yes, probably, recognising fans’ disappointment as well,” Sweeney said.

“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.

“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 context of where we want to get to, we feel we’re heading in the right direction, hence we were OK with that statement.”

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