England: Cipriani calls Eddie Jones ‘a small man with a chip on his shoulder’: Planet Rugby

On By Pranco

Former England international Danny Cipriani has branded Eddie Jones a “little man with a chip on his shoulder” when asked for his thoughts on the under-fire coach.

Jones was in charge of England between 2015 and 2022 and during that period there was a high turnover of his leadership, particularly the coaching staff.

Cipriani was not an important part of the Jones project despite impressing on tour against the Springboks in 2018, when the Australian looked elsewhere for his fly-half.

‘chip on his shoulder’

It seemed clear there was a clash of opinions and playing style between the pair and Cipriani opened up about their relationship during a chat with Air sports.

Cipriani, who has since hung up his boots, spoke about the former’s back England scrum half Danny Zorg notes that Jones was in charge like a “dictator.”

“I don’t think it came as a surprise to anyone because of the way he held his press conferences and the way he spoke to people,” the ex-Wasp said.

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“I was never afraid of Eddie. I just saw him as a little guy with a chip on his shoulder.”

Cipriani went on to say that he believed that during Jones’ tenure, the England players had to play by the coach’s rules or risk being sidelined by the now Japanese head coach.

“He was very resistant to anyone who had a difference of opinion with him, so everyone on that crew had to do (what he said) and say ‘yes sir, no sir and three bags full sir’ and for me that wasn’t something I was willing to do to bend my truth just to get a cap at that moment,” he said.

“For me, I’m not surprised by what Danny has said and it’s fair for him to come out and say it.”

He concluded: “To be honest, these types of coaches, especially in rugby, are the ones who limit the sport and keep people from wanting to participate.”

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