No conflict of loyalties for new England coach Jones

EddieJones-cropped

Newly-appointed England head coach Eddie Jones insisted he is fully committed to beating Australia when the two nations meet next year.

Australian Jones was named England's first foreign coach on a four-year deal on Friday after Stuart Lancaster vacated his role following the team's failure to advance past the pool stage at the Rugby World Cup on home soil.

Jones fronted the media and fielded questions about next June's three-Test series against the Wallabies, who he coached in the World Cup final loss to England in 2003.

The 55-year-old - also a member of South Africa's coaching staff when they won the 2007 World Cup - said there would be no conflicted loyalties when England travel to Australia.

"One of the things my track record had shown is that the team that I coach, I'm 100 per cent committed to," said Jones, who had only started working as Stormers coach this month after falling agonisingly short of a quarter-final berth with Japan at the showpiece tournament in October.

"Obviously, when you are playing against your own country, you feel something.

"Everyone's normal. But I can guarantee you that when we get to that starting line, I'll be 100 per cent committed to England."

The first of the three blockbuster Tests will take place in Brisbane on June 11.

Australia will then lock horns with England in Melbourne a week later, followed by a trip to Sydney on June 25.

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