Brendan Gallagher column: Let Eddie Jones get England singing to his tune, and nobody else’s

Eddie Jones is not a politician – he’s a hands on coach and doer – and I like to think Friday’s Press conference is the last time we will ever see him flanked by Ian Ritchie and Bill Beaumont because from this point onwards we need to hear his unbridled thoughts on all pertinent subjects, not the watered down version his new employers would prefer to hear.
Barely off the plane from sunny Cape Town, Jones opted, on this occasion, for diplomacy over confrontation – most notably with his apparent support of the RFU‘s no overseas players regulation. With the rugby world still reeling after the death of Jonah Lomu it was not the time and place for a verbal punch-up live on TV and England fans also deserved the feelgood factor of welcoming a genuine “heavy hitter” into the fold in a dignified and measured way.
From December 1, when he officially takes over, however, I’d be looking for Jones to bare his teeth. Hopefully, the outspoken Aussie hasn’t craved the job so much he is prepared to be muzzled.
England are never going to win RWC2019 with a ‘yes’ man as coach. They need somebody to challenge both the status quo and the perceived wisdom because for the best part of 12 years both have let England down miserably. Jones, off the leash and in full cry, stands a fighting chance of making England into a world power again but only if he calls all the shots.
That is surely the rationale for Ritchie limiting the search to proven international coaches.
If Jones wants a director of rugby to work alongside him the RFU must finally stop playing King Canute and create such a post; if Jones wants Wayne Smith coaching the backs they should use every means to tempt the reluctant Kiwi over to Twickenham and if Jones wanted to employ, say, Sir Dave Brailsford as an occasional consultant, again Ritchie and RFU must try to make that happen.
Instinctively I’m a fan of Jones’ sharp wit, clever tactical mind and willingness to challenge convention but it is important he feels free to continue in that vein.
An Eddie Jones operating at 70 per cent is of no use, England need Jones at full bore. He got Japan playing ruck and rugby and promptly labelled it the new rock and roll. Now he must get England singing to his tune and nobody else’s.
Jones doesn’t boast a perfect coaching record. His time at Queensland was nigh on disastrous and he didn’t rip up trees during his two years with Saracens although he did lay the foundations for better years to follow and gain what now looks like a valuable insight into the English club game.
His most successful spell at club level was probably at ACT Brumbies whom he took from tenth in the Super 12, to losing finalists and then finally winners. He also ‘discovered’ George Smith at a Rugby League trial game at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles for which Australia will be forever grateful.
He is a different animal at Test level, however, which he demonstrated from the moment he guided Australia A to  a win over the 2001 Lions. He made Australia supremely competitive at the 2003 World Cup where they went toe-to-toe with the most dominant England team in history for 99 of the 100 minutes and four years later he played a key role as Jake White’s right hand man in South Africa‘s triumph. Then when, frankly, nobody wanted the Japan job he has breathed life into the Brave Blossoms with a long unbeaten run in 2013-14 acting as the springboard to their stunning performances at RWC2015.
And the difference between club and international level? Now that’s the $64,000 question. I can’t give you a definitive answer but it’s definitely tied up with the exertion of power and the fact that you start with a blank sheet. At Test level you can, and must, be ruthless with the short term need to win every game a huge driver. If players underperform on Saturday or let you down off the field you can banish them from your presence and thoughts forever – or at least until they improve or mend their ways.
At club level if a player or a group of players are underperforming or being problematical you still have to confront them face to face every working day. Those individuals might be popular club stalwarts locked into long term contracts who are going nowhere and at club level you will only have a finite number of players of the required quality. Compromise is often the only way forward.
I was very taken with a tweet from Mat Giteau when Jones’ appointment was announced: “Good choice picking Eddie Jones as England coach. Smart coach & will call a spade a spade! I’ve copped many sprays off him over the years.”
That speaks volumes and, in the coming months and years, I trust that Jones continues to call a spade a spade and that both RFU suits as well as players cop the occasional spray.