Keep up with the Jones

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte meets England rugby coach Eddie Jones, saying, ‘It’s important I gain tactical ideas’

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and England rugby's Eddie Jones exchange tips

CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte has been trading notes with England rugby union supremo Eddie Jones ahead of the pair’s crucial sporting showdowns this weekend.

With both the Blues and the Red Rose chasing their respective titles – in the Premier League and Six Nations – the pair clearly had much to talk about.


And it was Stamford Bridge supremo Conte who was most thrilled with the meeting, claiming to have learnt a lot from the Australian head coach.

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The Italian boss said: “For me it was very interesting to observe another sport and the differences between the two such as the physical aspect to their training as well as speak with Eddie Jones about the analysis side to the game.
“It is important for me to compare my work and experience with another sport to gain inspiration and tactical ideas for the future.

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                                Eddie Jones and Antonio Conte are both striving for silverware in 2017 

“I learnt today about how detailed the preparation is in rugby through video analysis as well as the physical element to the sport.

“We spoke about our experience and it was very interesting to speak to him.
"Eddie is a winner and he is transferring that mentality onto the team.”

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Antonio Conte is hoping to win the Premier League, taking tips from Eddie Jones

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Meanwhile, assistant coach Steve Holland was also present for the tour of England's base, with Blues fan and Red Rose fly-half George Ford ecstatic to have met the Chelsea boss.

Ford said: “I used to love watching Frank Lampard play so that's where my support for Chelsea comes from.
“It was great to meet the manager, you can obviously see why they are successful at the minute, he is very experienced at what he does and meeting Steve Holland was also great.

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Eddie Jones has turned England into an unbeatable team

“There are 13 Premier League games left, they are in a good spot, so touch wood they can win it.”
Both teams face a big weekend in their respective title hunts, with Chelsea turning their attention to taking on Swansea in the Premier League.
Meanwhile Jones' England side welcome Italy to Twickenham in another crunch Six Nations clash.