Eddie Jones isn’t pulling punches when it comes to England’s spectacular flameout in this year’s Six Nations Championship. The former England head coach, who now leads the Japanese national team, believes his successor Steve Borthwick’s squad fell victim to classic championship syndrome – counting victories before they happened.
According to Jones, England’s coaching staff made a critical error by mentally fast-forwarding to what they assumed would be a title-deciding clash against France before the tournament even kicked off. That kind of overconfidence? It’s rugby suicide at the international level.
‘When you start planning for the final before you’ve won your first match, you’re asking for trouble,’ Jones suggested, though he stopped short of directly criticizing his replacement.
For American rugby fans watching England’s struggles, there’s a lesson here that translates perfectly to our growing professional scene. Championship mentality isn’t about assuming victory – it’s about earning it one collision, one ruck, one try at a time. England’s collapse serves as a reminder that in rugby, just like in American football, any given Sunday can humble even the most talented squads.
The Red Rose’s early exit from title contention proves that respect for every opponent isn’t just good sportsmanship – it’s championship survival.
Original story via ESPN Rugby. Read more