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Video - The game's changing and we're 'failing to cope' - Jones
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England head coach Eddie Jones concedes that his side need to improve at the breakdowns, but that finding a solution will not come quickly.
Ill-discipline at the breakdowns was a crucial factor in England's 22-16 defeat to France on Saturday – a result that handed Ireland the Six Nations title after their 28-8 victory over Scotland earlier in the day.
Jones admits that his side have failed to cope with the changing interpretations surrounding breakdowns, but is well aware that he needs to engineer a significant improvement in that department.
Speaking in his post-match news conference, Jones said: "The breakdown has definitely become more contestable.
"There are different interpretations of the ruck that are being refereed and the contest has increased enormously, and we're failing to cope with that at the moment.
"We've got to find ways to cope with it, it's as simple as that. And it's going to take us some time; it's not going to come quickly."
England have the chance to deny Ireland a Grand Slam next weekend at Twickenham and Jones revealed that they are likely to be without Nathan Jones, who left the pitch injured after just 24 minutes in Paris.
He added: "He's being examined by the doctor. We're not sure [how bad it is].
"[He is] unlikely to be available next week."
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Even with absences we still had the cattle to make the playoffs. As it was, we nearly stumbled our way into the top 8. Which shows just how easy it was to get there. And still we failed. As for Razor, there are many instances of him patching up the Crusaders roster. Numerous. Several players I'd never heard of. Also, using AB legend John Afoa was a classic.
But, some of the games we were losing were from schoolboy errors, or downright confusion. Either the players were really dumb (they weren’t) or they were poorly coached. Given the repetitive nature of errors, brain fades, poor decision making, & loose structures, this all lands with the coaching group.
With only six playoff spots now in SR, & Aussie franchises now consolidated to four, 2025 looks like a tight one. I'm picking we'll have to tough it out under Penney & hope for the best.
Go to commentsAgree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
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