ENGLAND fell to a third successive defeat after being trounced 52-21 by a 14-man Barbarians side at Twickenham.
Questions may now start to be asked on the future of boss Eddie Jones, 62, with the World Cup just over a year away.
Eddie Jones has now overseen three successive lossesGetty
ReutersEngland fell to their heaviest-ever defeat against the Baa-Baas[/caption]
Will Skelton was shown a first-half red cardGetty
Regardless of Jones’ experimental side, a biggest-ever defeat to a 14-man Baa-Baas is cause for concern.
Australian second-row Will Skelton became the first player to be sent off in Barbarians history following his shoulder to the head of Patrick Schickerling in the first-half.
Despite being forced to play 43 minutes a man down, Fabien Galthie’s side ran in EIGHT tries on England’s home patch.
Charles Ollivon and Damian Penaud touched down after a penalty try before Skelton was dismissed.
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Penaud then crossed again with Baptiste Couilloud, Louis Carbonel, Max Spring and Antoine Hastoy also on the scoresheet.
Jones told Amazon Prime after the game: “Obviously we are disappointed with the result.
“In terms of preparation for the tour, we tried a few different things and we weren’t good enough but there are a few guys who played their first senior game and a few guys that played their first game for a few years.
“There is a big gap between club level and international rugby and some of the guys experienced that today and they will be better for it.”
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Even the arrival of Danny Care early in the third quarter for his first international appearance in nearly four years failed to inspire disjointed England.
Jones had picked the usual mix of youth and experience for the annual uncapped international against the Barbarians.
And it was a hugely disappointing outing ahead of next month’s three-Test series against Australia.
To rub salt into England’s wounds, their former lock George Kruis kicked three conversions including an outrageous backheel to head into retirement with a smile on his face.
As a mark of respect for former Wales international Phil Bennett, who died last Sunday, the Barbarians players formed a number 10 before a minute’s applause for a player who represented them 20 times.
England wingers Joe Cokanasiga and Jonny May were looking to make big impressions to earn a place on the plane to Oz following injury-enforced absences and they experienced mixed fortunes.
Cokanasiga was prominent amid a promising start by the hosts and he brought Twickenham to its feet with a jet-fuelled break out of the 22 only for the defensive cover to collar the supporting Harry Randall.
Marcus Smith drew first blood with a penalty but the Barbarians surged ahead through an 18th-minute penalty try awarded against May for a deliberate knock-on.
Then England, wearing their red kit, launched an attack but a loose pass by Randall was picked off by Ollivon who was able to complete the foot race to the line.
At 14-3 down inside the first half-hour, it was looking bleak for Jones’ men with a missed penalty by Smith failing to lift spirits.
Tighthead prop Will Collier was brought off as a tactical replacement before the half-time whistle.
The game appeared to turn on its head during a three-minute spell during which Skelton was sent off, Smith kicked a penalty and Cokanasiga scored a try created by Smith and Tommy Freeman, but another twist quickly followed.
Looking to break out of the 22, Mark Atkinson’s pass intended for Cokanasiga instead fell to Penaud and the French wing cantered in for a simple finish.
The Barbarians continued to shrug off the absence of Skelton when a defensive lapse allowed Yoan Tanga to surge through the middle and Couilloud arrived to complete the move.
England sprung into life, with Care’s arrival making a difference as Smith began to weave his magic to create a try scored by May.
But Penaud then added a second with an acrobatic finish that spent an age being checked by the TMO.
Big carries by Tom Curry and May created the space for Smith to dart over but despite showing encouraging flashes in attack, England just could not pull clear.
Nolann Le Garrec chipped over the defence for Carbonel to touch down but there was better to come from the Barbarians as Spring touched down after a sweeping move before Hastoy completed the rout.
Damian Penaud scored twice for the Baa-BaasGetty
PAAntoine Hastoy completed the rout at Twickenham[/caption] Read More