Eddie Jones rules out further rugby league raids

England coach Eddie Jones has ruled out any intention of targeting rugby league players to strengthen the team's chances in the upcoming 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Jones' predecessor Stuart Lancaster managed to secure the signing of Sam Burgess from rugby league club South Sydney Rabbitohs ahead of the 2015 World Cup but the move backfired with the 28-year-old returning back to Australia after a struggling stint with the Red Rose team.

England had a torrid time in the showpiece event and became the first home side to be kicked out of the tournament in the first round forcing Lancaster to make way for Jones.

"We don't sign players - we are the Rugby Football Union," Jones said.

"(RFU chief executive) Steve Brown doesn't come to me and say 'here's £500,000, spend it on a player'. I don't have that option, I can't influence recruitment.

"I can't say to Leicester 'you sign George Smith' - I can't do that it, it is not my responsibility. It is a nonsense. That's not me. That's not my job.

"My job is to pick from the Premiership clubs, we have a relationship with the Premiership clubs, we select players from the Premiership clubs. We don't tell them to recruit.

"If they want to recruit rugby league players and they are good enough to play for England then we will pick them."