Rugby ‘a real game for the purists at the moment’, admits Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones believes rugby is going through a defensive cycle (Matthew Childs/PA)

Eddie Jones is confident rugby will emerge from a dull period dominated by defence after conceding it is currently a sport that excites only purists.

Jones is preparing his England team for Sunday’s Autumn Nations Cup final against France at Twickenham after presiding over business-like wins against Georgia, Ireland and Wales that produced few thrills.