Jones boys have once-in-a-lifetime chance

A WORLD record is on the line at Twickenham today. Expect England to unleash a bit of fury.

All week I’ve heard people suggest the pressure is getting to Eddie Jones’ team after a run of 17 consecutive wins.

That they were embarrassed by Italy, that they look a shadow of the side that dominated 2016, that they are under increasing strain.

What garbage. I’m expecting the complete opposite this afternoon when Scotland stand between them and what would be a quite incredible achievement. I believe they’ll be in a ruthless mood.

Let me say quickly that Scotland are a dangerous team and capable of winning. No question about that. Previously they were competitive but had an inability to finish. Now they create tries out of nothing and are super-competitive.

But we haven’t yet seen England unleash what they are capable of in anything but glimpses.

And I know how that would make me feel if I was in that England camp. Hearing all the doubters, listening to all those damning win after win with faint praise.

Seventeen victories on the spin is an astonishing feat. I didn’t think New Zealand’s world record mark of 18 would ever be touched.

So this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for England and should they manage it I can quite easily see them setting a mark that will stand for many decades to come.

So how does that square with them apparently being “embarrassed” by Italy last time out? A fortnight on my blood still boils thinking back to that day and referee Romain Poite telling England: “I’m a referee not a coach.” What a shocking thing to say. Why? Because I know very well that Italy would have met him in the days before the game and said, ‘This is what we’re going to do, what’s your interpretation of it so that we do it properly?’ And the ref would then have painted them a clear picture.

Yet when England players seek clarification in the heat of battle, Poite just bins them. I thought it was terrible, completely one-sided.

England still found a way to win – and win well – as they have in every game for the past 17 months. Today will be no different.

I see them being comfortable with 20 minutes to go. Weighed down by the pressure? If you say so.