Jamie George joins the debate over Eddie Jones' England era

Jamie George has explained that he recognises Danny Care’s damning assessment of Eddie Jones’ England regime but he insisted that the Australian’s contribution to the national team was reflected in his success. Care, who won 101 caps until his international retirement earlier this year, is highly critical of Jones in his autobiography Everything Happens for a Reason, claiming that “everyone was bloody terrified of him”.

The Harlequins scrum-half added that Jones’ England environment was “like living in a dictatorship, under a despot who disappeared people”. Jones was sacked in December 2022 after presiding over a slump in results with Steve Borthwick, his former number two with Japan and England, taking charge.

George, who became first choice hooker under Jones, revealed that players have more of a voice in the environment created by Borthwick. “Everyone has their own experiences. I lived it with Danny at the time, I knew how he felt about it,” the England captain said.

“Eddie was someone who never wanted to sit still, always wanted to get better and pushed people. It was challenging at times, of course it was, and I understand what Danny is saying. Equally, what he said in his book is that Eddie was one of the best coaches he worked with and that runs true. Eddie did brilliant things for English rugby.

“We got to a World Cup final in 2019 and we probably live with regret that we didn’t win that. We won a Grand Slam and a couple more Six Nations – that is the sign of a good coach to me. You have got to reflect on the good times and the bad.

“Eddie was very clear in his ways and what I know is that now we have got a much more inclusive environment in which we can challenge and accept and speak to all the members of staff. I guess it hasn’t always been that way.”

While lifting the lid on Jones’ brutal management style, Care also praises the 64-year-old and suggested that his methods were necessary to reach the pinnacle of the game. “He gave me some of the greatest memories of my rugby career – that came at a price. Maybe it had to be that way to get the success that we had,” Care said. “Maybe you have to go through some really tough times, and be that driven, and there be that much pressure, to get that.”

George, who has won six Gallagher Premiership and three European titles with Saracens, disputed this belief. “I don’t think necessarily there is always a cost to winning. I don’t believe that,” he said. “I have been part of teams that create really positive environments, Saracens being one of them.

“We have won some pretty big things and were very successful with a different way of viewing things and going about things. At the same time there is success both ways, it is dependent on the personnel at the time.”

George leads England into Saturday’s clash with Australia at Allianz Stadium looking to bounce back from the 24-22 defeat to New Zealand that opened the Autumn Nations Series.