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Eddie Jones throws fresh barb at Wales after Twickenham win

By Jack Davies
England coach Eddie Jones.

England coach Eddie Jones says Wales’ “cocky” approach to Saturday’s Six Nations clash between the countries made it particularly satisfying to come away with the win.

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Jones’ men triumphed 12-6 at Twickenham, with Jonny May’s two first-half tries enough to settle an encounter that also saw Wales full-back Gareth Anscombe denied a seemingly legal try by the TMO.

Wales’ convincing win against Scotland on the opening weekend had inspired confidence that Warren Gatland’s side could pull off an upset over the defending champions.

Jones targeted Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and fly-half Rhys Patchell in his pre-match comments in an apparent bid to unsettle the visitors, with the former referring to the Australian as “Uncle Eddie” in response.

England’s battling victory was their 24th in 25 matches under Jones, who said the build-up made the result especially pleasing.

“Those sort of games when it’s a bit of an arm wrestle and one side’s got to give, they’re the most pleasing games to win,” he told the BBC’s Sportsweek programme. 

“We’ve won a couple of those now – Australia in the autumn and this game here against a very good Wales side.

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“Full credit should go to Wales. They’re very well coached by Warren Gatland and we’re pleased to get that result.

“We wanted to start well. They came rolling down the M4 full of confidence, very cocky, and it was important that we started the game well and took a bit of wind out of their sails, which we did. That got us the win.”

Elaborating on his assessment of Wales as “cocky”, Jones added: “Very much from what they say in the media.

“You got the impression they thought they had a very big chance to beat us, so it’s always nice to win those games, particularly when it’s against Wales.”

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Jon 35 minutes ago
Why Sam Cane's path to retirement is perfect for him and the All Blacks

> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.

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