Eddie Jones shares great tale on hour-long chat with ‘inspirational’ Roy Keane

Published 10:58 26 Jan 2022 GMT

Robert Redmond

Eddie Jones shares great tale on hour-long chat with ‘inspirational’ Roy Keane

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'He's one of the funniest blokes I've ever met'

Eddie Jones has spoken about the time Roy Keane was invited to speak to the England rugby team at their training base ahead of the World Cup. In 2019, the former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United captain held a Q&A session with Jones' team and was sought out for advice from Owen Farrell. At the launch of the 2022 Six Nations, Jones spoke about Keane and said he would like the Irishman to make another appearance at the England team base.

Eddie Jones on Roy Keane

"He's one of the funniest blokes I've ever met," the England head coach told JOE at the launch of the 2022 Six Nations. "He's inspirational, but his stories are incredible, mate. Our coaching staff spent about an hour with him and he had us just laughing and laughing and laughing. And then he spoke to the players and he was equally as funny. "He's certainly one of the most memorable guys we have had in," Jones continued. "Obviously, (he was) a very good player and a tough guy in terms of the way he played. But you know, a great raconteur of football stories. So, we'd be happy to get him in again."

Keane gives Owen Farrell advice

Keane recently spoke about his time with the England squad at their Pennyhill Park Hotel training base in Surrey. The former Manchester United captain had a Q&A session with Jones' team just before they left for Japan to compete in the World Cup. Farrell approached Keane after the talk for some advice about being a captain. "Owen Farrell asked if he could have a private one-to-one chat," Keane told The Sunday Times. "He was a really interesting fellow, a little vulnerable because he was captain of England but not of his club. "We talked about leadership. General chat, I like innocent people, ones who aren’t cool, who don’t worry about going against the tide. "I gave him the advice I would give anybody who is trying to lead - Be a decent human being, be on top of your own game and don’t be an arsehole." Farrell, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the 2022 Six Nations as he is due to undergo ankle surgery. Related links: