England vs Fiji: Eddie Jones accused of hypocrisy as he delays naming team for Twickenham clash
Traditionally teams are named 48 hours before kick-off
ENGLAND left themselves open to accusations of hypocrisy by delaying naming their team to face Fiji tomorrow.
Eddie Jones was due to announce his XV for the Twickenham Test yesterday — as is traditionally the case at least 48 hours before a match.
Instead, the Aussie coach gave himself an extra night to sleep on selection and was typically bullish about his views on the matter.
The delay was put down to injuries — but the 11th-hour change made arrogant England look like hypocrites of the top order as they exploited a soon-to-be-closed loophole in the rule book.
An RFU spokeswoman insisted: “The tour agreement does not contain any regulations or commitments around the timing of team announcements.
“World Rugby are aware of the reasons for the delayed announcement and understand.”
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Yet just 15 months ago, the same RFU were furious at France not naming their team until the day before their World Cup warm-up match in Paris.
Red Rose bosses cried foul to World Rugby and the sport’s top brass have since ruled that, starting in January, teams must be named at least 48 hours before Tests — unless both unions agree to any changes in advance.
Any breach will result in the governing body imposing heavy sanctions.
Jones revealed he knew on Wednesday night that he would not be naming his team as planned.
Yet jumpy RFU officials were clearly not kept in the loop and looked embarrassed and stunned as they broke the news a minute before Jones’ press conference.
Jones said: “The decision to delay was done on Wednesday night when some other factors came into an injury situation with a couple of players.
“I don’t have to discuss it with Fiji. We didn’t ask them to name it 48 hours before. There is no regulation. There is no etiquette.
“In normal circumstances you want to name a side 48 hours before because that it is in line with World Cup regulations and that’s good practice. I don’t think there is any advantage in it — we’re not looking for an advantage.”
Two of the players Jones says are not fit — Elliot Daly and Nathan Hughes — showed no ill-effects of their respective ‘upper body injury’ and ‘lower leg injury’ as they trained with the rest of Jones’ squad.
Jonny May and Mike Brown were missing along with No 8 Billy Vunipola and Tom Wood — the flanker was called back from Northampton after being released on Tuesday.
Earlier in the week, coach Neal Hatley signed off the whole squad with a clean bill of health.
But Jones insisted: “There are a few injury concerns which we’re sorting through at the moment.
“Billy and Nathan are still carrying knocks from the previous game.
“Elliot Daly is also carrying a knock from the previous game and we’re looking to see how they resolve themselves over the next 24 hours before making a final decision.”
England skipper Dylan Hartley is relaxed over Jones keeping everybody guessing.
The SunSport columnist said: “It is the boss’ decision to hold back. We are obviously waiting on a couple of guys but it hasn’t affected anything.”
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