Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'They're in a situation they probably relish... they have been written off'

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)

Eddie Jones believes talk about the demise of Wales could be greatly exaggerated, the England boss suggesting that Wayne Pivac’s strugglers are in a backs-to-the-wall situation they will likely relish when the countries face off at Llanelli on Saturday. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The Welsh finally ended a six-match losing streak under new boss Pivac with their dour 18-0 win over a Georgia team England defeated 40-0 the previous week in London in the Nations Cup. That was one of six wins in succession for Jones’ charges, a run that includes their 2020 Six Nations title-clinching victory in Italy last month.  

Having made just one change to the England XV, George Ford coming back at out-half with injured midfielder Ollie Lawrence dropping out, Jones now heads to Wales amid widespread predictions that it is going to be an easy enough outing. 

Video Spacer

Eddie Jones sets the scene ahead of England’s trip to Wales

Video Spacer

Eddie Jones sets the scene ahead of England’s trip to Wales

The England boss doesn’t agree, though, telling his post-selection media conference: “They [Wales] are in a situation they probably relish. They have been written off. They are playing at the heart and soul of Welsh rugby, the Llanelli ground, so there is a lot of symbolism for them and nothing will make their season sweeter than having a win over England. 

“We are expecting a really tough game. Twelve months ago they were Grand Slam champions, three points from making a World Cup final, so they have got the same players, they’re a talented team and we’re going to have to be at our best to meet the challenge they are going to put out.”  

Jones has opted for a six-two forwards/backs split on his bench, including an extra back row in the guise of Jack Willis. “It’s going to be one of the key contests,” he continued. “You have the set-piece, the breakdown and the aerial contest at the moment and all three of those are going to be important. 

“Which one is going to be the most important we don’t know. If we had a crystal ball I might be able to tell you but unfortunately I don’t have one of those but we think that is going to be a significant area of the game,” he said, adding his reasons for including Ford to start. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“We just feel this is the best 23 for this particular game. There’s the tactical application to the way we want to play against Wales and George fits that bill. We want to play a certain way against Wales. Having George at No10, Owen (Farrell) at No12 and Henry (Slade) at 13 suits the sort of game we want to play.

“It’s always a tough game (in Wales), we know that. We’re prepared for that. We have had a great week’s training. We just got to tidy up our attitude for the game now to make sure we are 100 per cent ready to go right at the start of the game and play with an intensity that Wales have never faced before.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 27 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

26 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search