Southampton v Sparta Prague: Claude Puel drafts in the help of England rugby union coach Eddie Jones to try and help them in the Europa League

SOUTHAMPTON are hoping Eddie Jones will help them pack a punch in Europe.

The England rugby union coach spent time at Saints’ training ground ahead of tonight’s visit of Sparta Prague.

But Jones  revealed  much of his inspiration came from gold medal-winning Team GB women’s hockey coach Danny Kerry — one of a number of top sporting coaches he is brainstorming with.

Saints boss Claude Puel was delighted to welcome Aussie Jones to pick his brains.

Mind you, he could have cut out the middle man and gone straight to the hockey girls given Saints’ track record with rugby top brass.

St Mary’s die-hards still shudder at the memory of the time rugby-loving chairman Rupert Lowe appointed Sir Clive Woodward as director of football in 2005.

Puel said: “It was a good meeting.  Eddie is a good man and a good trainer. It’s interesting to meet him and to discuss tactics in rugby — there’s a similarity with football.

“He makes progress because rugby and football and other sports develop all the time with the personality of the players.