RFU backing Jones, accepts 'progress' analysis is tough sell

LONDON : The head of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has repeated his backing of Eddie Jones and his belief that England are making progress, but admitted the upbeat statement of support on Sunday should have shown more understanding of fans' frustration.

Echoing Jones's generally positive comments after last week's defeat by France, their third of the Six Nations, the RFU issued a statement saying it was "encouraged by the team's solid progress". That came a year after England's fifth-placed finish in the tournament, also after three defeats,

Speaking to the media for the first time in a year at Twickenham on Thursday, CEO Bill Sweeney said that although this year's performance was "hugely disappointing", he had faith that Jones was the right man to turn things around.

"We weren’t lying. When we made that statement, we were being honest," Sweeney said after several high-profile former players criticised the RFU for misleading fans.

"Solid progress – I can understand how that might confuse after two wins last year and two wins this year. But progress is not just about matches won. It’s also about hitting certain objectives along the way. We were talking about improvements to the structure, to the squad and to how we’re playing.

"The positive developments that we spoke about were in terms of the new players coming in, the leadership on the field and the spirit within the camp. In terms of how we feel the team is progressing and how it's developing feel we're heading in the right direction."

Jones has come under heavy fire in the media but Sweeney, who will oversee a routine review of the Six Nations alongside a largely confidential group of "experts", made it clear that getting rid of the Australian was not on the agenda.

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