Eddie Jones believes new rugby format can make XVs ‘more entertaining’

Eddie Jones has an idea to revolutionise rugby union and believes it could have a positive knock-on effect for the Test game.

The current Wallabies head coach has suggested introducing ‘Rugby 12s’, following the example of cricket which has multiple formats.

Of course, rugby already has Sevens, but Jones believes that this new form of the sport will help the “best” part of rugby union thrive.

Fun and lighter

“Rugby should have 12s,” he told Sky Sports News. “The T20’s actually improved Test cricket. It’s something that happened probably by the need to make cricket more entertaining, and it has actually made the best cricket more entertaining.

“Test rugby, like Test cricket, is the best and everyone wants to watch it. But then you need underneath that an entertainment form of the game. Club rugby’s pretty serious.

“You need something a bit fun, a bit lighter, and I reckon a 12s competition would do the trick there.”

Jones is coaching in a country where rugby needs a boost, with union behind the likes of rugby league, Australian rules football and cricket.

The sport had a much bigger reach in his previous job when he headed up the England team.

Although the Premiership has endured a rough period, the international game remains huge in the UK, something Jones appreciated.

He also enjoyed his time working in the northern hemisphere and some of the characters in the Red Rose squad.

Special Six Nations

“I miss the players; the players were fantastic. I love the players in England. And the intensity of the Six Nations.

“We’ve got the Rugby Championship which is fantastic but the Six Nations is a special tournament.

“I had seven years. I had a good go at it. I feel honoured to have had that seven years, and in the end, the results just weren’t good enough. So you go into the job with your eyes open, and when the results aren’t good enough, it’s fair enough.”

READ MORE: ‘The Rugby Championship a glorified pre-season for us’ – Eddie Jones