JONES WANTS LIONS SHARE

EDDIE JONES wants the Lions painted white next summer and is targeting an unprecedented England contingent.

England coach Jones has his sights set on smashing the 20- man record for the professional era, chosen by Clive Woodward in 2005, when the squad for South Africa is named. While Gatland has always trumpeted the value of a balanced squad from all four home nations, Jones wants his players’ performances over the next nine months to force the hand of the British & Irish Lions head coach.

Jones said: “How many will go on the Lions tour? Well I am hoping 20- plus. I want

to see a record. I want our side to be by far the dominant force in the Lions – and that will be a consequence of them playing well for England.

“The circumstances dictate that it’s a difficult season, we all acknowledge that. The planning between the clubs and us will result in our players being in as good a condition as they can be.

“The players have been a little ring rusty after five months of having not played, the referees likewise after adjusting to new law interpretations, but it’s been a positive start.

“There have been a lot of good players but there’s a long way to go. It’s almost like you’re in the Ascot Gold Cup – it doesn’t matter how you come out of the gates, but where you finish.”

Jones’ ambitious target comes despite the dangers of a knock- on effect for his side.

When Gatland named 16 Englishmen in his 41- man party for the 2017 tour to New Zealand – a figure which fell to 15 when Ben Youngs withdrew –

England finished second bottom of the Six Nations.

Woodward’s 2005 tour to New Zealand was not the best advert for one- country dominance as they lost the series 3- 0.

But, in 1997, when 18 Englishmen were picked by Ian McGeechan – and 22 ended up in South Africa at some point through injury call- ups – the Lions won the series.