Eddie Jones makes Wales vs England U-turn and demands that the Principality Stadium roof is OPEN for Six Nations crunch clash in Cardiff


EDDIE JONES has won the Six Nations mind games by ordering Wales to keep their roof OPEN.

The England boss informed Dragons chief Rob Howley just EIGHT minutes before yesterday’s 4.50pm deadline.

England have declared that they want the Principality Stadium roof closed - but they left it till the last minute
England have declared that they want the Principality Stadium roof closed – but they left it till the last minute
PA:Press Association

Less than three hours earlier Howley said: “As far as we’re concerned the roof will be closed. We would like to play with it closed.”


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But under Six Nations rules, Wales must ask permission from the visiting side to close the roof.

And Jones, who has steered his side to a record 15-match winning streak, initially indicated he  did not mind if it was open or not.

Yet when it came to the crunch before tomorrow’s championship clash in Cardiff, Jones said: “I want to win. So the decision was made on what I think is the best thing for the team to win.

Eddie Jones has been a master of the mind games this Six Nations
Eddie Jones has been a master of the mind games this Six Nations
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The Principality Stadium in Cardiff has a retractable roof that can create a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff has a retractable roof that can create a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams
PA:Press Association

“But I haven’t sat at night thinking about whether the roof should be open or closed.”

Wales had been desperate to play under a closed roof as that increases the hostile noise from their 70,000-plus fans.

Dragons skipper Alun Wyn Jones said: “When it’s closed it’s not claustrophobic.

“But there’s no escape — and sometimes that is a great place to be.”

Wales coach Rob Howley had said he wanted the roof closed for Saturday evening's big match
Wales coach Rob Howley had said he wanted the roof closed for Saturday evening's big match
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Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones also said he preferred the atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium when the roof was closed
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones also said he preferred the atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium when the roof was closed
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