The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

That is very poignant. Hard not to get a lump in the throat and a tear in the eye reading that.

Aside from being an all round stellar bloke, the other key points that I have heard spoken of him, something Bryan Habana touched upon at half time yesterday. He embodied the very spirit of Rugby the passion, aggression, civility, humour, rivalry and friendship. And that he did bridge the gap between the amateur and professional era.

An iconic player and personality that the sport would do well to remember.

[Buzzo]

[ame]https://twitter.com/lionsofficial/status/1596593718500401157[/ame]

[Cormack74]

Just seen England's stats breakdown from the autumn games - bafflingly awful given the capabilities of the players.

For some reason (presumably known to EJ but not the rest of us), the sum of the whole is considerably less than the sum of the parts.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1597489285380378626"]https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1597489285380378626[/ame]

[Cormack74]

Not before time if true, but not what I was expecting at this point. We might not be any better under someone else but I don't think we can be much worse.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2022/12/05/eddie-jones-sacked-england-coach-rfu/?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-rhr

Eddie Jones is set to be sacked as England head coach within the next 48 hours, with the Rugby Football Union dispensing with the Australian's services after a dismal autumn series less than a year out from the World Cup.

After crunch talks between the 62-year-old and the RFU hierarchy on Monday, Telegraph Sport understands that Jones will be removed from his post after a seven-year stint as England head coach.

Telegraph Sport reported on Friday that Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick was the front-runner to replace Jones, with the former England captain returning to lead his country into the 2023 Six Nations and World Cup in France.

Monday's review of England's autumn series began in the early afternoon and is understood to have lasted until around 5pm at Twickenham. Jones’ team of assistants - Richard Cockerill, Matt Proudfoot and Martin Gleeson among them - were seen leaving the home of English rugby as a group, separately from Jones, with Conor O’Shea and Bill Sweeney following them some time later.

The move marks a remarkable about-turn from the RFU, which has so far backed Jones through each of his tempestuous periods. This year's November internationals - with a sole victory over Japan to show for England's efforts - marked the nail in the Australian's coffin, however. This calendar year was England's worst since 2008 and their worst autumn period since 2009.

Earlier on Tuesday, Warren Gatland ruled himself out of the running to replace Jones as Telegraph Sport revealed the New Zealander's sensational return to the Wales fold. The Welsh Rugby Union sacked Wayne Pivac after recent home defeats to Italy and Georgia with Gatland parachuted in to steady the Wales ship to the 2023 World Cup and beyond.

[Irishnev]

Gatland back as well

Borthwick is more of the same though, why not Scott Robertson?

[Buzzo]

Just catching up on all of this Eddie Jones sacked!

[Cormack74]

Surprised the RFU didn't bottle it TBH, but presumably his pay off is quite small in the last year of his contract (well relatively) compared to earlier in his tenure.

[Buzzo]

He was so good.

[ame]https://twitter.com/autumnnations/status/1600928203224203265[/ame]

[Intense.Mind]

Oh, yes. He was good. I agree.

[Irishnev]

He was so good.

https://twitter.com/autumnnations/st...28203224203265

Oh, yes. He was good. I agree.

How many wins in the Autumn Series guys

[Irishnev]

Nice player by Russell, pity his side lost by 32 points

[ame="https://twitter.com/rugbypass/status/1601593332651593728"]https://twitter.com/rugbypass/status/1601593332651593728[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Watched that actually! Leinster were immense. Russell is red hot right now and had a great game but he had no platform. Leinster are not much of a watch but they are relentless.

I think this is the best Finn has ever played. His mastery of the ball and decision making are spot on, seems to have cut out the odd moment of madness.

Rumours he is heading to England.

[Irishnev]

Watched that actually! Leinster were immense. Russell is red hot right now and had a great game but he had no platform. Leinster are not much of a watch but they are relentless.

I think this is the best Finn has ever played. His mastery of the ball and decision making are spot on, seems to have cut out the odd moment of madness.

Rumours he is heading to England.

I thought it was a done deal?

[Buzzo]

I thought it was a done deal?

Not sure.

I think he is definitely leaving Racing. Bath been mentioned but I do wonder if he will stay in France.

Mainly because the finances in England seem to be a bit of a house of cards.