At the Rugby World Cup, politics and verbal weaponry abound

A Tuesday media appearance with Owen Farrell and Eddie Jones sparked speculation and feather-ruffling

Farrell (left) and Jones at the press conference (Getty)

The text message arrives. “Eddie, Mitchell and Farrell top table.” A quick glance at the date confirms it is only Tuesday. “This isn’t right, surely? Something’s up.”

From the moment that it’s announced that rugby coach Eddie Jones will be up for media duties two days ahead of schedule – and bringing captain Owen Farrell with him – speculation is rife about what has caused the sudden change of heart.

Normally, Jones and Farrell will only speak to the media on team announcement and match days, though last weekend the England boss helpfully waited until Sunday to speak publicly so that the identity of their quarter-final opponents could be discovered.

But a Tuesday appearance? That very rarely happens, meaning there must be some big announcement. Plans are put in place, other press conferences are ditched and the British media swarm en masse on Disneyland Tokyo, where England are based for their semi-final week at the Rugby World Cup.

On the way there, every eventuality is played out: is Farrell injured and going home? Are they naming the team early? Are they trying to hide injuries? Is Jones angry about something – again? Have the England squad gone all 2011 on us and landed themselves in trouble? Is Jones about to quit?

One of the more sensible options centres around England trying to set the agenda and get ahead of the All Blacks by chucking out a few grenades to disrupt the status quo – after all, that’s what England are trying to do this weekend in knocking off the back-to-back world champions.

And so it quickly transpires; a spying allegation here, a swipe at the Kiwi media there. Jones’ press conference had everything that it should feature when it is choreographed with the precision of a World Cup opening ceremony. Jones smiled and laughed his way through it, joking around while making serious and newsworthy allegations in the process, all the while knowing that his words would ruffle plenty of feathers.

It was textbook Eddie Jones, and the truth is that the biggest surprise comes in this tactic taking so long to appear in Japan. But with the dominant All Blacks in England’s crosshairs, Jones went back to his trusty verbal weapon. Now this feels like a World Cup semi-final fitting of its high billing.

Yours,

Jack de Menezes

Deputy sports editor