ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones has left his players free to make their own choice of drink when they go out on ‘relaxing’ nights to bond the squad together.

“We have had a couple of beers and have been trusted to do that, which has been very nice,” Danny Care told reporters at Pennyhill Park yesterday.

Jones has actively encouraged players to not get stuck spending too much time in their hotel rooms and to gel as a group. And what better bonding agent could there be than lager?

Care, who is expected to start at scrum-half against Scotland on Saturday, was entrusted with the kitty last night and was clearly enthusiastic about the prospect of breaking habits formed in the Stuart Lancaster regime.

PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

“As backs we went out and had a couple of beers and the forwards did the same in a different bar, so we kept away from the big lads! Little things like that are new and different.

“We’ve not paid for too many drinks ourselves yet, which is nice and we’re going out tonight. I’ve got the RFU’s cash here!”

Luke Fitzgerald staying positive despite another injury setback

Analysis: Jack McGrath can exploit Wales’ Samson Lee to give Ireland the edge in the scrum battle