Jones slams Andrew for Sir Clive jibe

Eddie Jones has hit out at Rob Andrew after he accused 2003 World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward of leaving the English game in a mess.

Earier this week, Andrew, England's elite rugby director, claimed Woodward's set-up had failed to implement any long-term planning structures and were to blame for the national team's subsequent slump in form.

But Jones, who coached Australia to the 2003 World Cup Final and is now director of rugby at Saracens, today described Andrew's criticism as "absurd".

Jones said. "Clive ran the best rugby programme in the world for five years. England played some sublime rugby in 2002 and got over the line at the World Cup in 2003.

"No one has run as good a programme since and to say he is to blame for the current state of English rugby is just absurd. As the national coach, you don't get paid to put infrastructures in place."