Jones: Ireland world’s best team
England coach Eddie Jones has declared that Ireland are the world’s best side ahead of the All Blacks after naming his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations.
Ireland, who host England in Dublin in the opening weekend of the tournament on February 3 (NZ time), beat the All Blacks 16-9 on Irish soil for the time last November.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen threw down the gauntlet after his side’s defeat in Dublin, agreeing that Ireland were the world’s best, but he said the pressure was on them to keep performing following a stellar 2018 season.
Ireland begin the defence of their Six Nations crown against England and it’s possible that Joe Schmidt’s side could end the All Blacks’ long reign as world No 1 during the competition.
Jones has no doubt who the world’s top team is ahead of the international rugby season kicking off with the Six Nations ahead of this year’s World Cup starting in Japan in September.
2019 Six Nations (times listed are NZ time)
Week one, Saturday, February 2: France v Wales at 9am;
February 3: Scotland v Italy at 3.15am, Ireland v England at 5.45am.
Week two, Sunday, February 10: Scotland v Ireland at 3.15am, Italy v Wales at 5.45am; Monday, February 11: England v France at 4am.
Week three, Sunday, February 24: France v Scotland at 3.15am, Wales v England at 5.45am; Monday, February 25: Italy v Ireland at 4am.
Week four, Sunday, March 10: Scotland v Wales at 3.15am, England v Italy at 5.45am; Monday, March 11: Ireland v France at 4am.
Week five, Sunday, March 17: Italy v France at 1.30am, Wales v Ireland at
3.45am, England v Scotland at 6am.
‘‘Ireland are the best side in the world,’’ Jones told media after England’s Six Nations squad was announced yesterday. ‘‘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.’’
England came within a whisker of beating the All Blacks last November when a late, disallowed try denied them victory at Twickenham and the New Zealanders won 16-15.
Ireland moved to world No 2 in last year’s Six Nations as England slumped to their worst campaign, finishing fifth and sliding down the
world rankings in a season where they suffered five consecutive test defeats before a marked improvement in the November tests.
But after their loss to the All Blacks, England beat South Africa, Japan and Australia to climb back up to fourth in the rankings.
As well as achieving a Six Nations Grand Slam, Ireland won their first test series in Australia since 1979 and were crowned World Rugby’s team of the year for 2018.
Meanwhile, England co-captain Dylan Hartley could miss most of the Six Nations because of a knee injury.
New Zealand-born Hartley has not played since December 21 because his knee is ‘‘grumbling,’’ according to his Northampton club.
It’s serious enough that Hartley was left out of England’s 35-man squad for the Six Nations, meaning he will miss the training camp in Portugal this week and the first two matches next month against Ireland and France.
Jones has pencilled in Hartley for their third match against Wales on February 23, but admits even that is optimistic.
The Australian coach said firstfive Owen Farrell will captain England on his own.
Returning to England’s squad after missing the November tests with injury are Mako and Billy Vunipola and lock Joe Launchbury.
Hartley remains an integral part of Jones’ plans, even though he lost his starting position at the end of the November internationals. Jamie George started at hooker against Japan and Australia.
Former captain Chris Robshaw was also left out of the squad. He’s close to making a comeback from knee surgery which ruled him out of the November tests and could be available for the France test on February 10.