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London - Former Wallaby coach and Springbok technical adviser Eddie Jones believes England will not win the Rugby World Cup.
The BBC sport website reports Jones identified England’s first choice halfback combination as the team’s major “weakness”.
"I don't think Ben Youngs is a Test scrumhalf," said Jones. "He is good on go-forward ball but when the ball gets slow he struggles to make decisions and I think (flyhalf) Toby Flood is the same, which is a big weakness. That combination means I don't think they can win the World Cup."
England, drawn in Pool B, will face Argentina (September 10), Georgia (September 18), Romania (September 24) and Scotland (October 1) in the Group Stage of the tournament.
Jones was in charge of the Wallabies when they lost the final of the 2003 World Cup to England and was technical adviser to the Springbok team who beat England in the final of the 2007 tournament.
He also won the 2001 Super 12 title with the Brumbies in 2001 and spent time as the head coach of the Reds. Jones is currently a technical adviser at Japanese Club Suntory Goliath.
"Of the other leading sides, the Australian team is based around very young players and South Africa have not gone as far forward as they would have wanted in the last four years,” said Jones.
"New Zealand should win, but watching them play I think they are in danger of becoming too complicated for themselves. They play best when they use their athleticism and power."
The BBC sport website reports Jones identified England’s first choice halfback combination as the team’s major “weakness”.
"I don't think Ben Youngs is a Test scrumhalf," said Jones. "He is good on go-forward ball but when the ball gets slow he struggles to make decisions and I think (flyhalf) Toby Flood is the same, which is a big weakness. That combination means I don't think they can win the World Cup."
England, drawn in Pool B, will face Argentina (September 10), Georgia (September 18), Romania (September 24) and Scotland (October 1) in the Group Stage of the tournament.
Jones was in charge of the Wallabies when they lost the final of the 2003 World Cup to England and was technical adviser to the Springbok team who beat England in the final of the 2007 tournament.
He also won the 2001 Super 12 title with the Brumbies in 2001 and spent time as the head coach of the Reds. Jones is currently a technical adviser at Japanese Club Suntory Goliath.
"Of the other leading sides, the Australian team is based around very young players and South Africa have not gone as far forward as they would have wanted in the last four years,” said Jones.
"New Zealand should win, but watching them play I think they are in danger of becoming too complicated for themselves. They play best when they use their athleticism and power."
