Ollie Lawrence has expressed his appreciation for Eddie Jones's tough coaching style, despite the criticism surrounding the England rugby regime. Lawrence, who made his international debut under Jones in 2020, admitted that he often questioned why the Australian coach was so demanding of him. However, he has come to realize that Jones's candid feedback has significantly contributed to his development as a player. Although Lawrence showcased impressive performances for Worcester, he struggled to make a mark on the international scene during his time with Jones. As England prepares to face Japan at Twickenham, it will be Jones's first encounter with his former team. Lawrence's reflections highlight the complexities of coaching methods, with some describing Jones's approach as akin to a "dictatorship." Nonetheless, Lawrence remains grateful for the lessons learned under Jones's guidance.

Jamie George, the captain of the England rugby team, has acknowledged that Eddie Jones's coaching style was often "challenging," despite its successes. He emphasized that a toxic atmosphere should not be a prerequisite for achieving results, reflecting on the recent comments made by Danny Care regarding the Australian coach's regime. George, who took on the captaincy at the beginning of the year, has been a key player under Jones and noted that the current team environment is "much more inclusive." He recognized, however, that this inclusivity was not always present, referencing Care's remarks in his autobiography that described the previous setup as resembling a "dictatorship." While George acknowledged the difficulties of Jones's approach, he also praised his coaching abilities.

Steve Borthwick has firmly stated that his approach to managing the England rugby team is distinct from that of his predecessor, Eddie Jones. This comes in response to comments made by former England scrum-half Danny Care, who described Jones's regime as akin to "living in a dictatorship." Borthwick, who served as an assistant coach under Jones for over four years, emphasized that he has nothing to conceal regarding his current setup. He believes that players are now encouraged to express their opinions, marking a significant shift in the team's culture. Care's remarks have raised concerns about the environment under Jones, prompting scrutiny of the Rugby Football Union's safeguarding practices. Sir Clive Woodward, the World Cup-winning coach, has also expressed disbelief that the RFU chose to renew Jones's contract despite these serious allegations.

Dan Cole is optimistic about a turnaround for England's rugby team, but he will certainly miss his roommate, Joe Marler, following Marler's announcement of his international retirement. As Cole's close friend and confidant, Marler was the first to share his decision, which left Cole with mixed feelings. “He explained his reasons, and I thought: ‘Who the heck am I going to room with now, Joe!? You’ve really put me in a tough spot!’” Cole remarked. With Marler stepping back, George Ford will take over his room, but the more significant change is the inclusion of Sale's 20-year-old prop, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, in the squad. While Cole acknowledges he will miss Marler, he understands that life goes on. At 37, he often questions his place in the sport, and the selection of the promising Opoku-Fordjour signifies a shift in the team's dynamics under coach Steve Borthwick.