England’s new forwards coach is willing to talk at length about scrums and lineouts but presses the mute button when asked about political matters
There was a moment during last year’s
World Cup when Matt Proudfoot, who on Monday was appointed England’s forwards coach, sounded just like his new boss, Eddie Jones. Answering a long-winded question about whether rugby in
South Africa had a doping problem, he replied: “I’m a forwards coach, mate.”
It was a response Jones has perfected in the four years he has been in charge of
England, not wasting words on issues beyond his control. Proudfoot, who every week would head one of South Africa’s media conferences, adopted the same approach, willing to talk at length about scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls and tactics but pressing the mute button when asked about political matters.