Here’s the latest rugby news for Tuesday 20th December.

Eddie Jones Discovers a Mistake

Sacked England manager Eddie Jones has revealed a mistake he regrets when he was in charge of the national team.

Jones cited the Saracens’ 2021 relegation due to salary cap breaches as a major reason for England’s declining fortunes, admitting he had to change selection criteria as a result. He also revealed that he knew his time was coming to an end before the resounding defeat to South Africa in the final international of the autumn.

“I had a meeting with the leaders of the Russian Federation [after the 25-25 draw with New Zealand]Jones told Midi Olympique.

“That day I felt that the environment was strange. With me they were not as usual. After that, the British media became increasingly critical. Then I realized that the end is near.

“We always make mistakes. If I could go back in time today, maybe I would change some of the selection criteria,” he said.

“2021 was a very bad year for us. The Saracens have just been relegated to the second division. As you probably know, the England XV at that time was made up mainly of players from Surrey.

“The problem is that their level dropped a lot in the second division and our team’s performance immediately dropped,” he said.

“So I had to change the tune that year. And I’m sorry, it’s my mistake.”

A World Cup player tragically dies

Max Brito, who was paralyzed while playing for Ivory Coast in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, has died aged 54.

Brito was paralyzed from the neck down after being injured in the third minute of Côte d’Ivoire’s group stage match against Tonga in Rustenburg, South Africa on June 3, 1995.

It was only Brito’s third cap for Côte d’Ivoire, having featured in previous matches against Scotland and France.

World Rugby said in a statement: “World Rugby is saddened to learn of the passing of former Ivory Coast international Max Brito. Our deepest thoughts and condolences, and the condolences of the global rugby brotherhood to his family, friends, former teammates and colleagues.

Brito was born on April 8, 1968 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and was five years old when he moved with his family to Biscarrosse, France. He was playing as a winger for Biscarrosse Olympique when he was selected to represent Ivory Coast at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Unfortunately, he suffered a life-changing injury during his third match against Tonga.

“Marcel Martin, Bernard Lapasset and the French Rugby Federation, amongst many others, have worked hard to secure Brito’s support since 1995 and he has been a key presence at Rugby World Cups ever since.

“Brito continued to play the sport he loved and his legacy and passion for rugby will live on at the Max Brito Academy, set up by the Rugby Federation of Côte d’Ivoire to train and inspire young people to play rugby in Côte d’Ivoire. Ivory”.

Brito, who played in France’s third division when he played in the World Cup 27 years ago, reportedly recently lived with his parents in Bordeaux.

Finn Russell moves to England

Bath signed the Scotland national team and the British and Irish Lions, half of Finn Russell’s team.

Gallagher’s Premiership club have not specified the length of Russell’s contract, but he is worth around £1m a year.

Bath has said he will join them after next year’s World Cup, ending a successful spell at Racing 92, a French top 14 club.

And it’s a huge coup for Bath, with Russell adding even more stars to a squad recently bolstered by the arrival of Wasps striker Alfie Barbery, as well as England internationals Ollie Lawrence and Worcester’s Ted Hill.

Russell’s ball skills and creativity will bring a new dimension to a team that is developing rapidly under new rugby leader Johann van Graan.

Russell played in 65 games and made his Lions Test debut against South Africa last year. He was also part of the Lions’ 2017 tour of New Zealand.

He joined Racing Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 and was the driving force behind them reaching the Heineken Champions Cup Final two years later when they lost to Exeter.

“I know players from Bath who are very vocal about the environment and I want to be a part of the direction the club is going,” said Russell.

“I enjoyed my time at Racing 92 and learned a lot.

“Now is the right time for a new challenge in a new league with the aim of returning Bath to the top of the Premier League and challenging for domestic and European titles.”

Six Nations judges announced

The referees for next year’s Six Nations have been confirmed as Wayne Barnes prepares to put a turbulent few months behind him to enter his 17th tournament.

Barnes recently revealed that his family had received threats after he refereed South Africa’s loss to France in the autumn, but the English referee will return to France in the 2023 tournament when Ireland host them in the second round on the 26th. , six . Party of Nations.

Another Englishman, Carl Dixon, will take over the debut between Wales and Ireland. As for Wales’ other fixtures, Andrew Brace, Mathieu Raynal, Damon Murphy and Nick Berry will be in charge against Scotland, England, Italy and France respectively.

New Zealand referee James Doleman will make his England debut against Italy, while another New Zealand referee, Paul Williams, will referee his first Six Nations match since 2020.

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