“The French Came Out & Gave It To Them. I Am Absolutely Delighted.” – The Media Reacts To England’s Defeat In Paris
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Arrogance.
The media hasn’t been kind to England following their shock 24-17 defeat at the hands of France at the Stade de France in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Jones’ side were the tournament favourites before a ball was kicked following their heroics at the Rugby World Cup which saw demolish the All Blacks on the way to the final before falling at the final hurdle against South Africa.
The England boss claimed this week that he wanted his side to prove they are the best team in the world but have been left licking their wounds just one game into the championship.
The most scathing criticism came from Virgin Media pundit Matt Williams, who blasted Jones for putting unnecessary pressure on his team ahead of the tie.
“Eddie Jones this week has been arrogant. He said they want to be the best team of all-time. Look at that performance there. Why would you say something stupid like that? Why put the pressure on your players?” Williams said.
“If you’re sitting there and you’re an England player, you’re going, ‘Coach, shut up. Don’t’. Why poke the bear? The French came out and they just gave it to them. That’s just a bunch of kids, a lot of those guys.
“That’s when England fail: they get arrogant and believe they are unbeatable. The French came out and gave it to them. I am absolutely delighted.”
The Guardian wrote:
“The World Cup finalists were about as irresistibly brutal as a damp paper bag for the first hour of a wet Sunday afternoon in Paris and were joyfully ripped apart by a French team not so much revitalised as reborn.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph described the defeat as “one of the worst performances of the Eddie Jones era.”
Writing in the Daily Mail, former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward said that the team had “lost their magic.”
“It gives me no great pleasure to say I saw this coming,” Woodward said.
“France are on the up and, already sharpened by the arrival of Shaun Edwards, defended well at key moments. England arrived with the wrong team and clearly have not yet shaken off that depressing World Cup final result.”
