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'Ireland had no answer' - Mitchell already repaying RFU's investment
By Online Editors
England defence coach John Mitchell has earned praise from his former boss and the English media after his side's statement Six Nations victory over Ireland.
Former All Black and All Blacks head coach Mitchell joined Eddie Jones' staff last September and has been credited as the mastermind behind "the white wall that nullified" Ireland's attack over the weekend.
Sir Clive Woodward was among those offering praise to England head coach Eddie Jones and Mitchell for their efforts.
Mitchell coached under Woodward during his first stint with England's from 1997 to 2000.
"Ireland had no answer and it has been a while since we have said that," Woodward wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.
"So hats off to Eddie, after a poor 2018, and his defensive coach John Mitchell, to go and win in a place where the All Blacks got seen off in the autumn series."
Mitchell left his role as director of rugby at the Bulls' Super Rugby side to join Eddie Jones' England staff last year.
According to a report in The Times from September last year, Mitchell is earning £300,000 for his role with England, who had to pay the Bulls £200,000 compensation to release the coach mid-contract.
British tabloid The Daily Star believe that Mitchell has already returned on that investment.
"England's secret weapon for the Six Nations and World Cup later this [year] has taken just one wondrous game to be revealed," The Daily Star's Jeremy Cross wrote.
"Kiwi John Mitchell was appointed at great expense to become Eddie Jones's defence coach.
"But Mitchell has paid back the RFU already in the wake of England's stunning thumping of Ireland in Dublin.
"Mitchell orchestrated a white wall that nullified what was the most potent attacking force in European rugby in 2018.
"The win was quite a statement and if Mitchell and Jones continue to work magic like this, England are serious contenders to become world champions again."
Mitchell and England continue their Six Nations campaign against France next weekend as they look to improve on their 1-0 tournament record.
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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