Eddie Jones is moving into Jose Mourinho territory and has certainly been sending out some intriguing messages this week ahead of tomorrow’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and his England side at Twickenham [KO 4.50pm].
Warren Gatland has been the purveyor of mind games in the Six Nations up until now, but Jones stepped onto new ground yesterday with his comments about Johnny Sexton’s health.
Schmidt was in good form at Ireland training yesterday. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
It’s all well and good talking about Ireland kicking the ball 70% of the time, but bringing a player’s parents into the equation seems rather extreme.
Jones is as wily as they come and we can be certain that he calculates his every word as clinically as any head coach, but the Australian became irritated when pressed on the Sexton comments by those present at Pennyhill Park yesterday.
Over the Irish Sea in Carton House, Joe Schmidt was giving his take on Jones’ words, underlining that what Jones might have thought was a throwaway remark could have very negative effects.
While Schmidt was publicly calm and even slightly dismissive, it’s quite certain that Ireland will have been internally angered by Jones’ barb. Sexton himself was annoyed to have the issue raise its head once again.
I think a number of people have spoken about it. I didn’t see the comments, that’s why I wouldn’t address them directly, but I just think that we’re less affected by them,” began Schmidt when asked about Jones’ remarks.
“The thing that any scaremongering or any criticism does, is that players do have families, friends and that network tends to ripple out into the community and it’s never great, because I think then that inevitably does rebound into the environment and can cause a little bit of anxiety for the player; nothing to do with how fit and able they are, but just that other people are worried about them and maybe that’s a distraction that can start to hamper preparation. I’d like to think that’s not the case.”
Certainly Jones has made things a little more interesting in the Six Nations this year, and already there is some anticipation about how himself and Gatland will manage their media dealings in the week before England face the Welsh at Twickenham.
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56-year-old Jones has an extensive CV that stretches right from his own club Randwick to an incredibly short stint with the Stormers between his World Cup with Japan and taking the England job.
Schmidt with Ireland supporter Jennifer Malone. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
“I’ve known Eddie for a number of years,” said Schmidt when asked about his relationship with Jones. “I think he was at the Reds [in 2007] when I was at the Blues, so we were probably in opposite camps even by colour at that stage.
“I’ve seen what some of the Brumbies and the Wallabies and the Reds teams that year have done, and I’d have a lot of respect for him as a strategist, as a tactician and as a motivator of the group of men that go out onto the pitch and give it their best shot.
“So the internal workings are, I’m sure, are going to enhance what England are going to deliver and as I say, we’re not that affected by the external murmurings that come out of the opposition camp.”
Another of Jones’ murmurings this week has been the claim that England do not possess any world-class players. Clearly the intention is to incite a desire to improve among those men under his charge, but again Schmidt reacted with a smile when the comment was put to him.
“I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and if that’s his opinion of the players in his team, it’s certainly not our perception,” said Schmidt. “Maybe he’s in a better place to judge but our perception is that there are a number of world-class players in the opposition. I think when they combine effectively, they are a very difficult team to beat. ”
Schmidt dismissed the notion that England’s World Cup campaign under Stuart Lancaster was as disastrous as has been suggested, pointing to injuries and just a three-point loss against Wales as important factors.
As for his own crop of players, Schmidt said he has never considered if he has any world-class men.
“Whether you start labelling them and categorising them, again I don’t really see any quantifiable advantage in doing that when you’re trying to prepare for a Test match. I think it’s all about making sure the players are organised, their confidence is good, their cohesiveness is good, so it’s not something I’ve thought about to be honest.”
Sexton is 'absolutely' fully fit according to Schmidt. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
More pressing in Schmidt’s mind is ensuring that his Ireland team are all of the above, particularly given his feeling that a rapid start will be required if they are not to be left out of the game after the first quarter.
The Ireland coach again denied that there has been any contact with Andy Farrell this week, instead suggesting that “it’s important we go it alone” and praising Simon Easterby and Richie Murphy in sharing the “mountain of work” that managing the defence and attack has faced him since Les Kiss’ departure to Ulster.
Schmidt points to England’s extremely settled XV as an advantage, while it’s clear that Ireland have been stunted by injuries and the retirement of Paul O’Connell this season.
However, the result is that Schmidt has settled on one of the most exciting XVs of his tenure so far with the introduction of Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier, while Ultan Dillane is set for his debut off the bench too.
Despite the lack of a win so far and the missing men, Schmidt’s sense this weekend is one of excitement about the prospect of pulling off a major result in London.
“I think it would be huge, any time you get a win at Twickenham,” said Schmidt.
“Before France we had one training really and we made a number of changes. And then we had to make a change at the 20 minute mark and at the 30 minute mark.
“I just think our continuity into the game is much better. Much as we have made changes and there are some personnel not available, we are really excited about going.
“There would be a touch of euphoria if we got the result because you have a little bit of breathing space before you have to get back up for Italy and Scotland at the end of it with that week to rebuild yourself.”
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Schmidt respects 'tactician' Jones but ignores England boss' barbs
IS THIS WHAT it’s like in other sports?
Eddie Jones is moving into Jose Mourinho territory and has certainly been sending out some intriguing messages this week ahead of tomorrow’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and his England side at Twickenham [KO 4.50pm].
Warren Gatland has been the purveyor of mind games in the Six Nations up until now, but Jones stepped onto new ground yesterday with his comments about Johnny Sexton’s health.
It’s all well and good talking about Ireland kicking the ball 70% of the time, but bringing a player’s parents into the equation seems rather extreme.
Jones is as wily as they come and we can be certain that he calculates his every word as clinically as any head coach, but the Australian became irritated when pressed on the Sexton comments by those present at Pennyhill Park yesterday.
Over the Irish Sea in Carton House, Joe Schmidt was giving his take on Jones’ words, underlining that what Jones might have thought was a throwaway remark could have very negative effects.
While Schmidt was publicly calm and even slightly dismissive, it’s quite certain that Ireland will have been internally angered by Jones’ barb. Sexton himself was annoyed to have the issue raise its head once again.
“The thing that any scaremongering or any criticism does, is that players do have families, friends and that network tends to ripple out into the community and it’s never great, because I think then that inevitably does rebound into the environment and can cause a little bit of anxiety for the player; nothing to do with how fit and able they are, but just that other people are worried about them and maybe that’s a distraction that can start to hamper preparation. I’d like to think that’s not the case.”
Certainly Jones has made things a little more interesting in the Six Nations this year, and already there is some anticipation about how himself and Gatland will manage their media dealings in the week before England face the Welsh at Twickenham.
56-year-old Jones has an extensive CV that stretches right from his own club Randwick to an incredibly short stint with the Stormers between his World Cup with Japan and taking the England job.
“I’ve known Eddie for a number of years,” said Schmidt when asked about his relationship with Jones. “I think he was at the Reds [in 2007] when I was at the Blues, so we were probably in opposite camps even by colour at that stage.
“I’ve seen what some of the Brumbies and the Wallabies and the Reds teams that year have done, and I’d have a lot of respect for him as a strategist, as a tactician and as a motivator of the group of men that go out onto the pitch and give it their best shot.
“So the internal workings are, I’m sure, are going to enhance what England are going to deliver and as I say, we’re not that affected by the external murmurings that come out of the opposition camp.”
Another of Jones’ murmurings this week has been the claim that England do not possess any world-class players. Clearly the intention is to incite a desire to improve among those men under his charge, but again Schmidt reacted with a smile when the comment was put to him.
“I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and if that’s his opinion of the players in his team, it’s certainly not our perception,” said Schmidt. “Maybe he’s in a better place to judge but our perception is that there are a number of world-class players in the opposition. I think when they combine effectively, they are a very difficult team to beat. ”
Schmidt dismissed the notion that England’s World Cup campaign under Stuart Lancaster was as disastrous as has been suggested, pointing to injuries and just a three-point loss against Wales as important factors.
As for his own crop of players, Schmidt said he has never considered if he has any world-class men.
“Whether you start labelling them and categorising them, again I don’t really see any quantifiable advantage in doing that when you’re trying to prepare for a Test match. I think it’s all about making sure the players are organised, their confidence is good, their cohesiveness is good, so it’s not something I’ve thought about to be honest.”
More pressing in Schmidt’s mind is ensuring that his Ireland team are all of the above, particularly given his feeling that a rapid start will be required if they are not to be left out of the game after the first quarter.
The Ireland coach again denied that there has been any contact with Andy Farrell this week, instead suggesting that “it’s important we go it alone” and praising Simon Easterby and Richie Murphy in sharing the “mountain of work” that managing the defence and attack has faced him since Les Kiss’ departure to Ulster.
Schmidt points to England’s extremely settled XV as an advantage, while it’s clear that Ireland have been stunted by injuries and the retirement of Paul O’Connell this season.
However, the result is that Schmidt has settled on one of the most exciting XVs of his tenure so far with the introduction of Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier, while Ultan Dillane is set for his debut off the bench too.
Despite the lack of a win so far and the missing men, Schmidt’s sense this weekend is one of excitement about the prospect of pulling off a major result in London.
“I think it would be huge, any time you get a win at Twickenham,” said Schmidt.
“Before France we had one training really and we made a number of changes. And then we had to make a change at the 20 minute mark and at the 30 minute mark.
“I just think our continuity into the game is much better. Much as we have made changes and there are some personnel not available, we are really excited about going.
“There would be a touch of euphoria if we got the result because you have a little bit of breathing space before you have to get back up for Italy and Scotland at the end of it with that week to rebuild yourself.”
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6 Nations Barbs Battle of Minds Six Nations Ireland Joe Schmidt England Two Masters