Jones says England will be better against Wales after Ireland win
LONDON: England coach Eddie Jones forecast his side would be “10 percent better” against Wales after ending Ireland’s bid for a Grand Slam with a 24-12 win in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday.
Jones’ men were a commanding 17-0 ahead at the interval thanks to tries from fly-half George Ford and full-back Elliot Daly.
Those scores were both converted by captain Owen Farrell — the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell — with the centre also adding a penalty in what was arguably England’s best 40 minutes since their World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand last year.
“We played with a lot of control, we read the conditions well, read the referee well and at half-time it was a cricket game, we could have declared,” said Jones.
England lost their tournament opener away to France, the only side that can now complete a Grand Slam, in what was their first match since being beaten by South Africa in the World Cup final.
But Sunday’s success, which saw England replacement Luke Cowan-Dickie score a second-half try in between scores from Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw and Andrew Porter, revived their title hopes.
England welcome reigning champions Wales, smarting from a 27-23 defeat by France in Cardiff, to Twickenham when the championship resumes on March 7.
“We took another step up today and we’ll take another step up when we play Wales,” said Jones.
“We know every time England play Wales it’s the biggest game there’s ever been, so I don’t expect next Saturday week to be any different.”
The former Australia and Japan coach added: “We’re just fitter, we’re able to play with more intensity and we will be better against Wales.”