Baxter enjoys positive talks with Jones

 

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has revealed that selection and availability of his club's players were on the agenda during his first meeting with new England head coach Eddie Jones.

Baxter, backs coach Ali Hepher and forwards coach Rob Hunter had the 90-minute meeting with Jones on Tuesday morning.

The Chiefs' head coach said the chat had been productive, and emphasised that, despite Jones organising his new-look back-room staff, there had been no shock announcements.

"There was no surprise revelation or anything – it was one of those meetings where you get to know each other, open your eyes and communicate and have that first-up discussion on players," said Baxter (pictured).

"Myself, Rob Hunter and Ali had the meeting with Eddie Jones and it went very well. He came across very well. It was a first-up meeting just to get to meet each other, to get to know each other and to discuss a few players.

"We also had a little bit of a discussion on how the process during the Six Nations would work in terms of player availability and things like that.

"We talked about when the England Saxons and EPS [Elite Player Squad] would be announced, and that was pretty much it, really. Hopefully now it will be an ongoing process for the coming few months until the Six Nations."

Jones was in attendance last Saturday evening as the Chiefs recorded a memorable 31-14 victory over Clermont Auvergne in the European Champions Cup at Sandy Park.

Baxter said that Jones had been impressed by what he had seen, but that his focus was on improving England following their Rugby World Cup disappointment.

Baxter said: "He watched the game on Saturday and is aware of what we are doing both in the Premiership and in Europe. I have talked a lot about it that, as a team, you have to show you are a good side by your results.

"He was very complimentary, but obviously the bigger issues for him are what he needs to get sorted on an international level."