Eddie Jones: New England head coach rules out overseas-based players rule change and addresses Chris Robshaw captaincy concerns
New England head coach Eddie Jones has warned overseas-based English players they will not be offered a return into the national team under his leadership.
When outlining his plans for the Red Rose, the Australian backed the RFU's controversial policy of only selecting players contracted to an Aviva Premiership club – a stance called into question by many during England's World Cup catastrophe last month.
"I want players who want to play for England," said Jones. "And if you want to play for England, you play in the Premiership."
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The RFU policy had been criticised by pundits such as former England head coach Clive Woodward who suggested Stuart Lancaster's side may have fared better with Toulon's Steffon Armitage or Clermont's Nick Adendanon in the squad.
Yet any hopes a door would be opened to players plying their trade abroad were quashed by Jones at his unveiling as head coach.
He said: "That's the rule, it's going to stay and I'm quite happy with that. We can work with that."
Jones addressed another recurring topic of debate for rugby commentators when he admitted he had been " a bit naughty" when criticising Chris Robshaw's England captaincy.
The former Japan and Australia head coach had written that the flanker did not have a "point of difference" at international level but clarified that he would look to talk with Robshaw as a first priority.
"In terms of the captain, you're always looking for a guy who's going to be selected in the side. You need a guy who's going to live the values of the team, lead from the front and that's what we're looking for going forward," Jones explained.
"One of the first tasks is I'm going to sit down with Chris Robshaw and have a chat to him and evaluate where we go."