Danny Care revealed made revelation about a culture of fear under Eddie Jones In response, the RFU emphasised that a system was in place to report concerns
The RFU have defended their ability to provide support and adequate safeguarding of players, after Danny Care’s revelations about a culture of fear under Eddie Jones, which he likened to ‘being bullied at school’.
In an excerpt from his forthcoming autobiography, Everything Happens for a Reason, Care recalled the uncomfortable environment during Jones’s tenure in charge of England, saying: ‘Did Eddie rule by fear? Of course he did.
‘Everyone was bloody terrified of him. Remember what it felt like when someone was being bullied at school and you were just glad it wasn’t you? That was the vibe.’ The Harlequins scrum-half added that it was like ‘living in a dictatorship, under a despot who disappeared people.’
Care’s testimony about life under Jones, published by the Times, included accounts of players being subjected to mind-games, savage treatment of staff and the horrific tale of how Wasps flanker Sam Jones had his career ended by an accident during a judo wrestling drill while on England duty.
In response, the RFU emphasised that a system was in place to report concerns, but this didn’t happen.
The RFU have defended their ability to provide support and adequate safeguarding of players
Danny Care (left) revealed made a revelation about a culture of fear under Eddie Jones (right)
A union spokesperson said: ‘The elite game is a high-performance environment, and we recognise the demands of this can be challenging which is why we offer a range of support services for players.
‘During his time with England, there were no complaints made about Eddie Jones by players either to the RFU or via anonymous feedback surveys or through our confidential whistleblowing service.
‘The RFU’s confidential whistleblowing service which is for all players and staff, it is promoted every season, and we always investigate any concerns raised. We have been in contact with Danny Care, he has made it clear he doesn’t want to take any formal action and that he also has high praise for Eddie in many areas of his book.’
The account from Care will create fresh doubts about whether England head coaches are subject to sufficient over-sight from the RFU hierarchy.
There was regular speculation that Eddie Jones had become so powerful that he was able to act with impunity while in charge of the national team.
The account from Care will create fresh doubts about whether England head coaches are subject to sufficient over-sight from the RFU hierarchy
However, his successor, Steve Borthwick, has weekly meetings with the union’s chief executive, Bill Sweeney, and performance director, Conor O’Shea – who also regularly goes into camp for talks with players and assistant coaches.
There is a formal review process after every England campaign when a panel considers anonymous feedback from players and staff.
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England Rugby defend their safeguarding policy after Danny Care likened Eddie Jones’ reign to ‘being bullied at school’ and ‘living in a dictatorship’
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