- Eddie Jones has attributed England’s dramatic collapse in the Guinness Six Nations to Steve Borthwick’s premature focus on a potential title decider against France.
- England have suffered consecutive and emphatic defeats to Scotland and Ireland, contrasting sharply with Borthwick's pre-tournament vision of challenging for the title.
- Jones, who coached England between 2016 and 2022, suggested that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) might have influenced Borthwick's comments to entice fans.
- He believes such forward-looking remarks can inadvertently distract players, causing them to look ahead rather than concentrating on immediate matches.
- Jones stated that the 31-20 defeat to Scotland left a lasting “mental scar” that subsequently impacted England's performance in the five-try rout by Ireland, and emphasised the need for strong leadership.
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