England Steve Borthwick implemented a policy to ban full days of training, aiming to provide players with a more sustainable training regimen.
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Former winger Jonny May, who played under both head coaches, retired from Test rugby after the 2023 World Cup, where the team secured a third-place finish.
“It’s definitely more of a sustainable environment under Steve than it was Eddie,” the 34-year-old said on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
“It was bloody full on with Eddie. The schedule was loaded, there were surprises, there was this, there was that. It was a lot and a lot of anxious energy as well.
“There is an opportunity within a programme to sink or swim people and thrive or die. We had a period where he did get us going, but that way is not sustainable.”
May continued: “Under Steve, the main things now are the main things. We meet up, we lift our weights, we do our rugby and then you are left alone,”
“Whereas (under Eddie), you were in the pool first thing in the morning and then you were on the computers, and then you had to go to the gym.
“When you were in the gym, you’ve got skills, contact skills, god knows what else.”
Highest-paid rugby coaches:
6) Warren Gatland (Wales) – £580,000 per year
Warren Gatland, the head coach of the Welsh national rugby team, commands a salary of £580,000 per year. Renowned for his tactical acumen and leadership, Gatland has been a transformative figure for Welsh rugby.
His current contract, which can extend until the end of the World Cup in 2027, underscores his enduring value, potentially totaling £2.32 million.
Known for his strategic prowess, Gatland has repeatedly led Wales to success on the international stage, including Six Nations triumphs, earning him a place among the sport’s top coaching earners.
5) Eddie Jones (Japan) – £600,000 per year
Eddie Jones, the head coach of the Japanese national rugby team, earns £600,000 annually. With a reputation for turning teams into formidable contenders, Jones’ coaching career includes notable successes with England and Australia (first stint, not second).
His innovative strategies and rigorous training methods have made significant impacts wherever he has coached. Now leading Japan once again, Jones is tasked with continuing the team’s development and competitive presence on the global stage, reflecting his high value and esteemed position in international rugby coaching.
