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Eddie Jones hits back at 'sad' criticism from Sir Clive Woodward

Eddie Jones hits back at 'sad' criticism from Sir Clive Woodward - Getty Images/David Rogers
Eddie Jones hits back at 'sad' criticism from Sir Clive Woodward - Getty Images/David Rogers

Eddie Jones has responded to one of his chief detractors, Sir Clive Woodward, by saying he “feels sad” for the former England head coach.

In an interview with Alastair Campbell for Men’s Health UK, believed to have taken place in early September, Jones was asked how he feels when Woodward criticises him.

“I feel sad for him,” replied Jones. “If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do.”

Jones, who is facing a review led by senior figures at the Rugby Football Union after losing six of 12 Test matches in 2022, also vowed that he will not level criticism at any of his Twickenham successors.

“No, I’m going to make sure that I don’t,” Jones added. “There’s another way. You don’t need to do it. Rod Macqueen, Steve Hansen: great coaches. They just get on with the rest of their lives. When you’ve had your turn, you give it to someone else.”

Woodward has used his latest column in The Daily Mail to take aim at the “murky leaders” running the RFU, including chief executive Bill Sweeney and Conor O’Shea, the director of performance. He has also fired more barbs at the under-fire Jones.

“In the past, Jones has carried on despite poor results with Sweeney looking after him,” Woodward wrote. “That might not be the case now. Sweeney and the RFU are carrying out a post-autumn review after a shambolic November but the fact they are doing it now is like trying to save the Titanic after it has hit the ice.

“The secrecy which has enveloped Twickenham is misguided. I’ve been a strong critic of Jones, but I feel a bit sorry for him now because the guys who he thought were his mates in Sweeney and O’Shea might ditch him to save their own necks. I can see that happening.”


Eddie Jones was speaking to Men’s Health UK ‘Talking Heads’ columnist, Alastair Campbell, available to read on the Men’s Health UK website now.