Natwest 6 Nations
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Natwest
6 Nations
After some impressive performances in the Autumn
Internationals, this season’s Natwest 6 Nations promises to be
one of the most competitive in recent times. The key to many of
the results will be what plans the team’s coaches can come up
with to give them an edge. Rugby Club Magazine takes a look at
how the home nations leaders are shaping up.
Eddie Jones – England
Jones took over the England job following a
disastrous World Cup but has worked wonders
in picking them up off the floor with twenty-
two wins from twenty-three leading to two
consecutive 6 Nations titles including a
Grandslam.
Jones recently extended his contract
and remains focused on his long term
goals, as he recently explained, “Coaching
England is a dream job for me, and I was
delighted to be asked to stay on after the
World Cup.”
“I have been completely focused on
developing a team capable of being the number
one rugby team in the world and winning the World
Cup in 2019.
“I never take my role as England head
coach for granted and did not presume I
would be asked to stay on, but, once the
conversations started very recently, it was
not a difficult decision to make.
“These are exciting times for English
rugby, with a focused and committed
squad who are full of potential and
determined to win.
“I will continue to work as hard as I can
to make England the world’s best rugby team.”
Joe Schmidt - Ireland
A former school teacher and coach, Joe
Schmidt has built himself an impressive
coaching CV in a number of roles during his
time in New Zealand. He gained further
experience in France before taking on the
head coach role at Leinster.
Two Heineken Cups and a memorable
treble later he had established himself
as one of the most successful coaches in
the provinces history and this led to him
becoming Irelands Coach. With two Six
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Nations title to his name Schmidt has continued
his success on the international stage but a
humbling defeat to Argentina in the World
Cup led to what many believed would
be a transitional period for the team as a
number of key players retired. The fact
that Ireland will be considered among the
favourites this year is a testament to the
good work Schmidt has carried out and
they remain the only side to defeat Eddie
Jones’ England.