England vs Fiji: Eddie Jones accused of hypocrisy as he delays naming team for Twickenham clash
Traditionally teams are named 48 hours before kick-off
ENGLAND left themselves open to accusations of hypocrisy by delaying naming their team to face Fiji tomorrow.
Eddie Jones was due to announce his XV for the Twickenham Test yesterday — as is traditionally the case at least 48 hours before a match.
Instead, the Aussie coach gave himself an extra night to sleep on selection and was typically bullish about his views on the matter.
The delay was put down to injuries — but the 11th-hour change made arrogant England look like hypocrites of the top order as they exploited a soon-to-be-closed loophole in the rule book.
An RFU spokeswoman insisted: “The tour agreement does not contain any regulations or commitments around the timing of team announcements.
“World Rugby are aware of the reasons for the delayed announcement and understand.”
Yet just 15 months ago, the same RFU were furious at France not naming their team until the day before their World Cup warm-up match in Paris.
Red Rose bosses cried foul to World Rugby and the sport’s top brass have since ruled that, starting in January, teams must be named at least 48 hours before Tests — unless both unions agree to any changes in advance.
Any breach will result in the governing body imposing heavy sanctions.
Jones revealed he knew on Wednesday night that he would not be naming his team as planned.