sport news Eddie Jones casts doubt over England's World Cup hopes without fly-half Marcus ... trends now
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Eddie Jones has reiterated that he was backing Marcus Smith to expand England’s attacking repertoire before being sacked – and cast doubt on the national team’s World Cup hopes if they adopt a purely pragmatic approach.
The former Red Rose head coach is in London with the Barbarians, preparing for a Twickenham comeback on Sunday against Steve Hansen’s World XV.
He insisted that he is looking forward to returning to the stadium and has no hard feelings towards the RFU for his shock dismissal late last year, after a sequence of disappointing results.
Jones is in diplomatic mode on this visit before his second stint in charge of the Wallabies starts with a Test against South Africa in Pretoria next month.
But his words may serve as a warning to England about their strategic direction as his successor, Steve Borthwick, is expected to favour Owen Farrell and George Ford over Smith going into the World Cup this autumn.
Eddie Jones believes England need Marcus Smith if they are going to win the World Cup
England head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to favour Owen Farrell and George Ford
When asked about Smith, Jones said: ‘He is a (All Black fly-half) Richie Mo’unga-type player, who will take a long time to mature. That’s the reality, but is he worth maturing? I thought he was, but
