Guiding Japan to a memorable defeat of South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Alan Quinlan believes Eddie Jones is poised to deliver something special with England four-years on.
As a difficult period followed Eddie Jones' tremendous start as England's head coach, Alan Quinlan believes the Australian is potentially primed to lead his team to their second World Cup success.
"He has a knack of getting teams to perform," surmised Quinlan on Tuesday's OTB AM.
"He is pretty ruthless in his approach, and I think by his own admission he probably made mistakes over the last two years with England, but I think he is very astute and he has a lot of talent at his disposal there.
"I think they are a serious proposition to win this World Cup."
Notably blunt in his dealings with the media, Quinlan isn't remotely concerned by the possibility that Eddie Jones' public remarks could disturb the harmony of his team, however.
Critical of the structural elements he perceives as hampering rugby union's true potential in England, Quinlan asserted that Jones' forthright approach is nothing new and his players will be used to whatever he comes out with.
"He's not part of the PC-brigade," Quinlan put it mildly, "and that's why he's very entertaining.
"In any sport, there are a lot of predictable quotes from managers, but Eddie Jones just says stuff.
"The persona of Eddie Jones is that he's this weasel, and this horrible person, and it is easy to sometimes think like that the way he speaks and acts.
"I've met him a couple of times though, and he's a very nice fella.
"He's good fun and very giving of himself in England to charities and rugby clubs."
Looking set to depart the role he has held with England since 2015 after the World Cup one way or another, Alan Quinlan would not be remotely surprised if Jones was to leave on the ultimate high.
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