EDDIE’S MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES

EDDIE JONES has the world and his mother on his case ahead of Ireland’s visit to Twickenham.

The aura of invincibility surrounding Jones and his team that was there a year ago is gone after Ireland spoiled their Grand Slam party 12 months ago this week and, more recently, the back to back losses to Scotland and France.

Jones is promising a “great response” as his side look to turn the tables on new champions Ireland.

But he admitted his own mother wants to know what’s gone wrong after the Red Rose slipped from such a dominant position in northern hemisphere rugby.

“It affects different people individually,” said the Aussie (left). “Some people get upset by it. Some people carry it around.

“Some people’s mother ring them up, some people’s wife rings them up.

“It affects individuals. My mother rings me up – God bless her soul. My mother said, ‘What’s going on?’.

“She hasn’t got a great knowledge of rugby. She just gets upset. I don’t, really.”

But Jones is confident that Ireland will bear the brunt of a big reaction from his players on Saturday.

“I think we’ll see a great response,” Jones stated.

“I saw that response against France. France had Ireland beaten, and that hasn’t been noted.”

Elliot Daly (foot) had a scan yesterday ahead of the Twickenham match, as did Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes, while skipper Dylan Hartley ran in training but remains a doubt.