Eddie Jones used his experience to full advantage in his first four years in charge of England but since the World Cup final he has veered from grumpy to irascible, no longer sure of touch. On the day that the former Ireland second-row Dan Tuohy marked his retirement by declaring that rugby union was starting to look rotten from the core, Jones embroiled himself in more controversy, with an offensive throwaway remark to a reporter that was swiftly followed by an apology and a clarifying statement from the Rugby Football Union.
Defeat to Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday would all but end their interest in the title and raise more questions about the Australian’s future just four months after the epic World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand. The opposition coaching box will be inhabited by two men who were part of the England’s coaching setup before Jones – Andy Farrell and Mike Catt. With the other two members of that management team, Stuart Lancaster and Graham Rowntree, also based in Ireland with Leinster and Munster respectively, the past will haunt the present and may determine the future.
Related: Ireland appear revitalised by Andy Farrell's subtle tweaks to their system | Ugo Monye
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