With just under a week to go until the Guinness Six Nations gets underway, Eddie Jones has revealed he expects a brutal game against Ireland in the opening fixture.
The England boss was joined by Warren Gatland at the launch of this year’s tournament in south west London, where the pair shared dinner and even confessed the Wales coach picked up the bill.
England travel to the Arriva Stadium to take on an Ireland side who are arguably the best in the world, and Jones also spoke to Gatland about the current state of rugby union.
Jones’ and Gatland
“Our dinner was good,” said Jones at the Six Nations launch in south west London, via the Irish Examiner.
“We chatted about rugby, the state of New Zealand rugby, the state of Welsh rugby, the state of English rugby.
“If you have been in the game a while, you are concerned about where the game is going. Sometimes there’s a chance to have a chat about that.
“We chatted about how refereeing could improve. That took a couple of curries!
“The Wales manager chose the wine – he was paying the bill because we’ve got no money,” Jones added.
Jones on Ireland
When asked specifically about England’s chances in Dublin, Jones explained that whichever side is most committed will take the points on round one.
“Ireland are the best team in the world and when we play them at their home it will be a brutal game. If we’re more brutal than them, we’ll take the money.
“I’ve never seen a Six Nations game that was not brutal. Traditionally, if you look at Six Nations history over the years, it’s a big gain-line contest.
“The ball-in-play time is higher in the Six Nations than any other tournament in the world. You’ve got to be prepared for it. We’ll be prepared.”
Jones on the Six Nations
As vital as England’s game against Ireland is on February 2nd, Jones will need to ensure his side have a strong tournament to re-affirm themselves as one of the best in the world. To get off to a winning start will be huge for Jones and his players, and will breathe confidence back into the fans.
The Aussie coach knows just how important the Six Nations is to the countries competing from Great Britain, and even admitted he didn’t realise how big the tournament was prior to taking the England role.
“There’s a sign at the Six Nations launch saying it’s the greatest tournament in the world.
“Four years ago I wouldn’t have said that, but having been involved in it there’s nothing like this tournament.
“The intensity, the contest, how much it means to people, it’s a real honour to be involved in it,” Jones said.
The tournament starts on February 1st when Wales travel to Paris to take on France, before England and Ireland lock horns a day later. Even at this early stage, whoever wins in Dublin has a very good chance of going all the way and winning the tournament.
You can check out the Six Nations odds on Betfair right now.
