England coach has Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade back among his options after a less-than-glorious start to the Six Nations
In contrast to
Ireland, with their unchanged team and more relaxed managerial regime, things are less serene in the
England camp. Some half-decent weather and a good win this weekend could swiftly change all that but with Eddie Jones going through one of his periodic stand‑offs with the media and yet more rain pouring down it would be inaccurate to describe Bagshot as fun central.
In the great scheme of things that should not matter but, at a time when the Rugby
Football Union could use some sweetness and light to distract from the Championship-funding saga, there is little of it sloshing . Courtesy costs nothing and, following his trash-talking before the
France and
Scotland games, Jones’s curt attitude towards broadcasters posing even straightforward questions is not a great look.