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Tom Coleman

Today's rugby news as Eddie Jones torn apart by star player's uncle and World Rugby won't investigate shock allegations

Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Tuesday, August 9.

Jones torn apart over private school comments

Sir Clive Woodward has accused Eddie Jones of belittling the English game following the head coach's recent comments about players coming through private schools.

And the England coach has also faced the wrath of star player Tom Curry's uncle over his comments.

In an interview with the i newspaper, Jones claimed players from the private school system lacked the resolve and skill needed to take England to the next level.

"They are good, tough players," he said. "They work hard but they only know what they know.

READ MORE: Wales rugby star Adam Beard gets married in stunning Cyprus wedding

"If you have only been in a system where you get to 15, you have a bit of rugby ability and then go to Harrow. Then for two years you do nothing but play rugby, everything’s done for you. You have this closeted life.

"When things go to crap on the field who’s going to lead because these blokes have never had experience of it? I see it as a big thing.

"When we are on the front foot we are the best in the world. When we are not, our ability to find a way to win, our resolve, is not as it should be."

However, those comments have seemingly been poorly received.

John Olver, uncle of the England flanker Tom Curry, who is a retired rugby master at Oundle School, told the Times:: “How on earth he manages to relate this to their education beggars belief. This is a complete smokescreen. Is it the thing holding back English rugby? Is it heck. Our last Six Nations was atrocious.

“It’s pointing fingers as to why his England team hasn’t been successful.”

Woodward wrote in his MailOnline column: "Jones can say what he likes, but he seemingly has a monopoly on the voice of English rugby. When the RFU just stand by and let it happen, you wonder what on earth is going on.

"Why does Jones have the right to belittle the English game like that? When nobody from the RFU — such as the chief executive Bill Sweeney — responds, then you can only assume that the powers that be at Twickenham actually think the same as Jones.

"It is either that, or they do disagree but opt for a quieter life rather than holding their head coach to account. Both demonstrate a fundamental failure of leadership.

"Jones has taken aim at English rugby’s schooling system at a time when the game is in a really serious situation with players, both past and present, suffering from significant brain injuries.

"Jones’s comments in comparison seem so misplaced. They are insulting to English rugby. As a coach, you do not care one bit about where your players went to school. You pick them on merit.

"To blame England’s failure to win big games on his players’ backgrounds is a total cop-out Part of coaching is creating decision-makers and leaders yourself."

Nadolo returns to the Waratahs

Juggernaut winger Nemani Nadolo, 34, will be joining the Waratahs on a one-year deal this season.

The sizeable winger finishes up with Leicester Tigers after running in 10 tries in 21 matches in his final season at Welford Road, which ended with the club becoming champions of England.

Nadolo, who has had stints around the world at the likes of Montpellier and the Crusaders, where he really made his name, started his rugby journey at the Sydney club but was forced to look elsewhere amid limited opportunities.

“Who would’ve thought after leaving these doors 12 years ago I’d get another opportunity to be part of the club again.

“I’m grateful to Darren (Coleman, head coach) and the board for having faith in me and giving me another opportunity.

“NSW are heading in the right direction and I’m glad I can be a part of their journey.”

World Rugby won't launch Castrogiovanni investigation

World Rugby has no plans to investigate claims that Italy legend Martin Castrogiovanni was ineligible to play Test rugby for the Azzurri.

That's according to the Daily Telegraph, who claim authorities won't launch an investigation as no formal complaint has yet been made.

The former Leicester Tigers prop, who was born in Argentina, won 119 caps for Italy, having seemingly qualified through an Italian grandparent.

However, a row erupted over his eligibility after he admitted in an interview it was, in fact, his great-grandfather who was born in Italy, which in turn would have made him ineligible under current rules.

“Grandpa Castro was born in Argentina, his name was Jose Maria,” said Castro in an interview with rugbychampagneweb.com. “The one who was Italian was my great-grandfather, Angel, who was born in Sicily, in Franco Forte.”

In the event of any investigation being launched, Italy would likely be liable under regulation eight of World Rugby’s laws. The governing body hasn't yet confirmed or denied whether Castrogiovanni was eligible when he made his Italy debut in 2002.

All Blacks criticism 'fair' says star

All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga admits he understands the criticism being levelled at his team on the back of their recent slump in form, but insists they are focused on turning things round.

The 28-year-old, who has 36 Test matches to his name, was part of the side that went down 26-10 at the hands of South Africa on Saturday, their heavies defeat away to the Springboks in 94 years.

They now face a rematch with the world champions at the imposing Ellis Park on the back of a three-Test losing run in 2022, and have lost five of their last six international's dating back to last November's loss in Dublin.

It's a run that's predictably seen critics the line up.

“It’s part of it, but we’ve got younger guys in the group who haven't experienced it at this level before, so it's really tough on them,” Mo'unga told the New Zealand press. “It’s not just us, it’s our families. As someone who’s been there before and been around for a while, my mindset doesn't change, my energy doesn't change.

“I’m chomping at the bit to have another crack, but I’m also at the point where the outside noise doesn't matter for me. It doesn't affect me. I’m at a stage now if you're not in our squad, I don't really care what you think, with all respect.

“I understand the fans and people out there can get frustrated with results. But we’re trying our best, and we know it’s not good enough for All Blacks standards. So preparations will be very deep to get the result this weekend.”

Read more:

WRU and Welsh regions £6 million apart after months of crisis talks

Wales wildcard stunned by Lanzarote phone call ordered by Pivac

The seven Wales Grand Slam winners, legends and cult idols who bowed out this term and we won't see on a rugby pitch again

What became of the young Wales team who did something very special three years ago

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