Tony Rowe - no fan of Jones' England

[wasps]

Quite a strong statement

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/no-doubt-eddie-jones-and-england-will-bomb-at-rugby-world-cup-exeter-chairman/

[Raggs]

Is it just me that feels that's really quite disrespectful (to every member of the squad, not just Eddie) and completely lacking any class?

[wasps]

I'm happy to hear someone saying what they think for once, but yeah, it doesn't make him sound like a particularly nice guy

[Brandnewtorugby]

Seemed a bit strong, got me wondering about his motivation. Could just be that he is straight talking, but he is a successful businessman and it's hard to imagine he would do this without an objective.

[BG]

It depends what Rowe defines as "bombing out". If he defines that as not making the semis or final then there's a relatively good chance of that happening. Either way its a bit negative from Rowe and I have to wonder if he's partly reacting to something that's been said by EJ/RFU or something that his Eng players are relaying back to him (i.e. the training camps)

[Raggs]

I think he mostly doesn't like the rfu sniffing around Baxter.

[BG]

I think he mostly doesn't like the rfu sniffing around Baxter.

It could be argued that Baxter is Exeter's biggest asset but the day to day hands on coaching role doesn't always transfer to the the role as a national coach which probably requires more man-management rather than skills or development planning.

[mike909]

Not sure there is that much in this - I'd also guess its an early "hands off Baxter" and I'd guess he's also have talked to his players at England camps

Who knows, perhaps EJ pissed the guy off when visiting Exeter - timing still be bit odd.

[westwaleswasp]

He may also hear negatives from players involved in the set up, or have an axe to grind over Eddie being utterly devoid of class as a bloke and his teams frequently failing to show the values to which we would all want. He certainly seems excessively confident that we will bomb.
There is quite a calm and measured discussion on the DW site about England et al at the WC, under the training announcement thread, I am not sure anyone is up for making such certain predictions there, which says something and puts these comments in perspective....

[Shugs]

I think Exeter as a whole have had a problem with England as they've equated their own success with the idea that vast swathes of their squad should have been selected by Jones. They are a team which is greater than the sum of its parts which is why it hasn't happened that way for them.

[ricohchezwasp]

Tony Rowe by all accounts is a bit of an ar$e