John Mitchell's England departure explained...

According to a report in The Times, John Mitchell’s departure as England defence coach earlier this year came about after Eddie Jones told him that was not permitted to leave England’s training camp on his day off to watch his son Daryl play cricket for Middlesex because Jones had some work for Mitchell to do.

Mitchell went to the cricket anyway and his departure as assistant coach was announced shortly afterwards.

The report, which I have to admit I have not read in full (being a stingy bugger unwilling to pay the subscription), apparently goes on to describe, if the headline is anything to go by… 

…the difficulties in working under Eddie Jones. 

Certainly it might go some way to explaining the ridiculous turnover rate amongst Eddie’s coaching and backroom staff over his nearly six years in charge.

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was