- Former England boss Jones was paraded as new star signing of ITV’s coverage
- He jokingly addressed the accusation of bullying made by Danny Care
It’s a stage of the year when we hopeless sporting romantics are overcome by all our yesterdays. Where’s Bill McLaren and his Hawick balls, the boiled sweets he lived on and handed out?
And memories of going to see BBC radio’s peerless Ian Robertson? At his Highgate house, he and his Rottweiler, by the name of Charlie Wigglesworth, offered a warm welcome. He — Wigglesworth, not Roberston — would flick biscuits placed on his nose into his mouth on command.
Times change, not always for the worse, just usually, and now it was a 4.45pm kick-off in Dublin and Eddie Jones was paraded as the new star signing of ITV’s coverage.
Before we get on to that, the observation that turning on Radio 4’s Today programme at 7am we were told yesterday was a big day in the Men’s Six Nations, part of an official rebranding. We followers knew that it was played by blokes, unless otherwise apprised. Didn’t the Beeb luvvies hear that Mr Trump has kicked this sort of woke posturing out of touch?
England v Ireland began at The Oval in 1875, thank you very much, as the more-than-competent Nick Mullins told us at the start of his commentary.
His channel’s big signing was ‘honest’ Aussie Jones, former England coach, wearing a beanie and trying his best to be Mr Serious and Mr Reasonable. He can pull off the first better than the latter, his tolerance only extending to where criticism doesn’t reach.
He had said that Maro Itoje is not a natural captain. ‘Never believe what is written,’ countered Jones.
‘Not even (written) by you, Eddie?’ asked presenter Mark Pougatch, knowing the issue needed addressing. Laughter. Perhaps a bit of squirming.
‘I’m sure he will lead by example,’ added Jones.
Danny Care accused Jones of being a bully. On the spot again from his erstwhile scrum-half.
‘I’m still waiting to get a copy of his book,’ sneered Jones, for whom there is his way and nobody else’s.
‘Perhaps he will send me a copy. Whenever you tap a player on his shoulder, they never have fond memories.’
Same to you Eddie.
