ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones tried to get an early blow in against Scotland by questioning whether they could back up “their big talk” in next month’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.
Jones’ men remained on course for a second successive Grand Slam with a 36-15 win over Italy at Twickenham yesterday, after eventually overcoming the Azzurri’s spoiling tactics of refusing to commit to rucks.
Victory over Scotland in the Calcutta Cup clash on 11 March would see Six Nations leaders England equal world champions New Zealand’s all-time record of 18 successive wins by a leading rugby union nation.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Scotland, however, are on a roll after beating Wales 29-13 at Murrayfield on Saturday and can complete a Triple Crown by causing an upset at Twickenham.
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“We believe we can beat England if we play like we did in the second half,” said Scotland captain John Barclay after his side scored 20 unanswered points against Wales at Murrayfield.
But the fact remains that Scotland have not beaten England at Twickenham since 1983.
‘Expectations’
“We’re looking forward to Scotland coming down,” said Jones ahead of the Triple Crown decider.
“They’re talking big already, they’re on a roll, they’re confident, but they’ve got to carry round the expectations now for the whole Scotland nation for the next two weeks before they come down and play us,” the Australian added.
For all the frustration he felt with Italy’s approach on Sunday, Jones — yet to lose a match as England coach after he was appointed following the team’s first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup — had no complaints about his side’s position.
“If you said where we wanted to be at the end of three rounds (of the Six Nations), we’re exactly there.
“Six tries, three wins, a bonus point. Mate, we’re flying.”
England rugby coach Jones wonders if Scotland can back up 'big talk'
ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones tried to get an early blow in against Scotland by questioning whether they could back up “their big talk” in next month’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.
Jones’ men remained on course for a second successive Grand Slam with a 36-15 win over Italy at Twickenham yesterday, after eventually overcoming the Azzurri’s spoiling tactics of refusing to commit to rucks.
Victory over Scotland in the Calcutta Cup clash on 11 March would see Six Nations leaders England equal world champions New Zealand’s all-time record of 18 successive wins by a leading rugby union nation.
Scotland, however, are on a roll after beating Wales 29-13 at Murrayfield on Saturday and can complete a Triple Crown by causing an upset at Twickenham.
“We believe we can beat England if we play like we did in the second half,” said Scotland captain John Barclay after his side scored 20 unanswered points against Wales at Murrayfield.
But the fact remains that Scotland have not beaten England at Twickenham since 1983.
‘Expectations’
“We’re looking forward to Scotland coming down,” said Jones ahead of the Triple Crown decider.
“They’re talking big already, they’re on a roll, they’re confident, but they’ve got to carry round the expectations now for the whole Scotland nation for the next two weeks before they come down and play us,” the Australian added.
For all the frustration he felt with Italy’s approach on Sunday, Jones — yet to lose a match as England coach after he was appointed following the team’s first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup — had no complaints about his side’s position.
“If you said where we wanted to be at the end of three rounds (of the Six Nations), we’re exactly there.
“Six tries, three wins, a bonus point. Mate, we’re flying.”
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