The newly minted Eddie Jones breezes into the room and what ensues in the next 15-minutes
are lavishly entertaining, technicolour soundbites tumbling from a crocodile smile.
The Australian, who led the Wallabies to a World Cup final in 2003 – coincidentally beaten by his current employers – and Japan to a place in rugby immortality with a victory over South Africa, oozes confidence, his words occasionally softened by a mischievous twinkle. The patter is engaging.
One of the most interesting involves English soccer club Stoke City. Jones leans on an analogy to make a point about attitude. “It’s all about mindset. Every time you attack there is a risk involved. If you want to play like the old Stoke City, then that is the safest way to play isn’t it?
"Just stick the ball in the air, chase hard and get everyone to clap. If you're not a strong side you can guarantee a close game. There's a fascinating book on soccer Soccernomics – it's all about the data on soccer.
“It shows that teams which have done really well by playing high balls are teams that minimise the amount of time the ball is in play. It makes sense; minimise the time the ball is in play and it minimises the time the other team have to score.
“If you are kicking the ball relentlessly down the other end, then it minimises the number of opportunities the other team will have to score. Rugby is exactly the same. Every time you run with the ball or pass the ball you are taking a greater risk than if you kick the ball.
Confidence
“It is about developing the mindset so that you have the belief and confidence to run with the ball and look after it properly. That’s what we want in our team. We don’t want to be reckless, but we don’t want to be like an old Stoke City either,” before adding with a smile: “I do know they are different now.”
"If they don't want to play like England, the players will have to wear their club shirt and then they won't be in the squad. England are going to play this way. I'm not criticising how the clubs play. They have to work out their own way of playing. In rugby there is no right or wrong way, but as a team you have to belief in a certain way."
Jones was asked what he had made of his new charges. “[It’s the] best night’s sleep I’ve had [after meeting them]. [I’ve] not been sleeping well. I’ve been really impressed by the attitude of the players. There are some areas skill-wise we’re deficient in, but with the attitude of the players we will fix that. Some will take longer than others.
“The professionalism of the players is a real credit to their clubs. Still got to change the mindset about being international players and what it will take, but that will come.”
So what did they make of you? “Don’t really care; as long as they respect me, we’ll have a great relationship.
Honeymoon
“At the moment we are on honeymoon aren’t we? Everything is nice, everyone is nice to each other. If you’ve been married longer than 20 years, you know a honeymoon doesn’t last. You’ve got to try and make your marriage work. And we’ll make this marriage work.”
He also spoke about the impression George Ford and Owen Farrell have made, going on to suggest he saw the Saracens outhalf in a centre role for England, reprising the partnership the pair had as outhalf and inside centre for the English Under-20 side a few years back.
He also confirmed that former Wallaby George Smith and England’s World Cup winning outhalf Jonny Wilkinson would be brought in on a consultancy basis to work with the young players. It won’t be dull on any level.
