Jonny May and Ollie Lawrence have emerged as staunch supporters of former England boss Eddie Jones, offering insights into the controversial coach’s leadership style.
Their testimonies are in response to recent criticisms of Jones from ex-internationals Danny Care and Danny Cipriani, and as Jones prepares to return to Twickenham with Japan to face the English on Sunday.
In a column for The Telegraph, May revealed the deeply personal approach Jones took to player development. “He would hammer me relentlessly,” May recalled, describing late-night messages and constant challenges during his early international career.
“At any point, he had members of the camp he would push hard – who knows how he picked them.”
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Despite the scrutiny, May praised Jones’ motivational techniques. “He could blow up, scream at you, then the next day, everything was normal,” he said.
Lawrence, speaking to The Times, echoed May’s sentiments, offering a candid reflection on Jones’ tough-love approach.
“I’ll always be grateful because he gave me my first cap,” the centre admitted. “At the time, I was probably annoyed, but now I see it was exactly what I needed.
“Looking back, I can see why he thought I wasn’t pushing myself enough.”
Both players recognise Jones’ relentless pursuit of excellence. May described him as “obsessed” with improvement, while Lawrence saw the coaching as a catalyst for personal growth.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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