I will strut my stuff for Eddie
Portugal last week we had a different schedule to the rest of the lads, so we were able to recondition a bit to make up for the lack of pre-season.
“That has put us in good stead. We were able to train at the end of last week and then we trained fully on Monday and Tuesday this week. I definitely feel the better for it.
“I wouldn’t say I felt the need for it at the time but I definitely reaped the benefits. I feel really good at the moment and ready to play.”
Jones will reveal his hand today with the likelihood that Maro Itoje will be rested and possibly Owen Farrell too.
Sam Underhill is set to start a Twickenham Test for the first time. The 22-year-old, who made his debut against Argentina in Santa Fe in the summer, has recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained in Bath’s last Premiership game against Gloucester and will wear the No7 shirt ahead of Sale teenager Tom Curry, 19, who will be used from the bench.
“We have a great little battle there, Underhill v Curry,” said Jones. “They are both good young flankers. They are both a little bit different. Underhill is more of a defensive player. Curry is more of an attacking player.”
THE RFU have agreed to pay cash-strapped Samoa, who play England at Twickenham on November 25, £75,000 as a goodwill gesture.
Samoan prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, yesterday declared the organisation bankrupt and launched a public appeal for funds.
A JustGiving page was also started online to try to raise £150,000 to ensure the Samoa players, who face Scotland on Saturday, are paid on their European tour. They receive a match fee of £620.
THE Six Nations Championship has secured a stopgap one-year sponsorship deal with NatWest worth £11million after failing to find a backer willing to pay the £100 m over six years that its organisers were seeking.
NatWest are a subsidiary of RBS who ended their 14-year association with the tournament last season.