Jones: Ireland are best team in the world

ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones has labelled Ireland the ‘best side in the world’ as the mind games got underway ahead of their showdown with the Grand Slam champions on February 2. Announcing his squad yesterday for their Six Nations opener in Dublin, Jones heaped praise on Joe Schmidt’s men, who go into the tournament on the back of a phenomenal 2018. As well as claiming the Grand Slam last year, Ireland achieved a series win in Australia and a clean sweep in the November internationals — including an historic victory over the All Blacks. New Zealand remain the top ranked side according to World Rugby, although second-placed Ireland can take top spot with a successful Six Nations, but Jones said yesterday he still rates Schmidt’s men as the premier side in the game. ‘Ireland are the best side in the world,’ he said. ‘They are a very well coached and drilled side, and have particular things they do well in the game. ‘To beat Ireland, we need to compete brutally in all the contest areas of the game.’ The England coach has created controversy in the past with his public utterances and yesterday’s compliments are in contrast to his comments about the ‘scummy Irish’ that emerged prior to Ireland claiming the Grand Slam in Twickenham last March. He also attracted criticism in 2016 when claiming Johnny

Sexton’s ‘mother and father would be worried’ about the out-half’s injury profile before suggesting last November that the Ireland star received preferential treatment from referees, as opposed to England No10 Owen Farrell. The tactic of lowering expectations on his own side is a sensible one for the England coach as he seeks to build on an encouraging November window following a difficult 2018. However, there is little chance of Ireland being lulled into any sense of complacency by Jones (right), particularly given the strength of the squad named yesterday. Farrell will lead the team in the absence of hooker Dylan Hartley, with Lions Test starter Jamie George stepping up at hooker. Four uncapped players are present in Gloucester wing Ollie Thorley, Saracens back row Ben Earl, Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson and Worcester hooker Jack Singleton. Loosehead props Mako Vunipola and Ellis Genge are back after missing out in November through injury, as are second row Joe Launchbury and No8 Billy Vunipola. The quartet are in line to make their first appearances since the June tour to South Africa. Harlequins flanker Jack Clifford and Exeter centre Ollie Devoto also return. Dan Cole and Mike Brown — senior players until falling out of favour last year — will press their claims after being selected in the 35-man squad. Like Ireland, who fly out on Monday, England will travel to the Algarve on Wednesday before a 25-strong party will head for Dublin on January 31.