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Don't sack Jones, former England wing insists

Cape Town - Eddie Jones should not be sacked as England coach if they lose Saturday’s final Test against the Springboks at Newlands, former wing Ugo Monye says.

England have already surrendered the three-Test series following losses in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein and another defeat will see Jones’ charges lose their seventh match on the trot.

There have already been calls for Jones to be sacked but according to Monye, who played 16 Tests for England between 2008 and 2012, does not agree with that sentiment.

The former British and Irish Lion spoke exclusively to Sport24 ahead of Saturday’s Test.

“Eddie Jones is our coach and recently had his contract extended to 2021 by the RFU. In my book, he will definitely be England coach through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. I find the calls for him to be sacked incredibly fickle,” Monye said.

“The same people that were lauding him a few months ago are now calling for his head. It’s insane. Of course England are in hole but, my word, which team wouldn’t be after six consecutive defeats? However, I still think there is a sense of confidence among the players that Eddie is the man that can turn it around.”

Monye said it would be tough for England to appoint a coach with next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan around the corner.

“It’s easy for people to sit on their high horse and say: ‘Eddie should be sacked.’ You can get rid of your coach, but the question is who will you bring in as England coach in the build-up to the World Cup? I don’t agree that Eddie’s job is on the line if England lose the third Test. I believe it’s an over-reaction...”

Saturday’s Test is scheduled for 17:05.

Teams:

South Africa

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux

England

15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Mike Brown, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler

Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Sam Simmonds, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Denny Solomona

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