Eddie wasn’t winding up Wales with jibes...he was firing up his own players

EDDIE JONES launched his blistering attack on Wales to put pressure on his OWN team.

It might have appeared he was trying to destabilise Rhys Patchell, Wales’ rookie fly-half, by questioning his “bottle”. It might have seemed like he wanted to distract Alun Wyn Jones by accusing the Wales captain of trying to intimidate the referee last weekend.

But his prime motive would have been purely selfish – to create some heat around the fixture that impacts on England.

Jones is a spiky character who cannot resist throwing a few hand grenades to wind things up. But he’s also a smart cookie.

He knows it is a dangerous game to call out Wales’ skipper and their inexperienced playmaker. He is aware it will rile a nation, add two or three per cent to the Welsh performance as well as change the atmosphere at Twickenham today.

But it is a calculated risk. He has manufactured a situation because he needs to see how his players handle it.

His squad have turned winning into an art form. One defeat in 24 games is an extraordinary record. It is also a breeding ground for complacency. So Eddie is mixing things up.

Jones (above, with captain Dylan Hartley) won’t allow a comfort zone to exist in his England camp. He wants the players on their toes at all times.

Wales will use his words as ammunition going into this game. There will be an extra edge to their play.

Rightly too, because to suggest Patchell lacks bottle is to question is he good enough to be an international rugby player? That not only insults Patchell, it insults Warren Gatland for picking him. But Jones won’t give a monkey’s about the fallout.

His sole interest is in creating a team that 18 months from now can deal with any obstacle placed in front of it. His message is simple. If you want to win the World Cup you’ve got to handle these types of situations.

So if Wales turn up angry and give England a workout, Eddie will consider it job done. Far better that than to exert complete control and learn nothing.

Seven years ago, Wales chief Gatland went for Hartley in the build-up. Hartley had a blinder and England won.

Much as I respect Gats, Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards, I’m not expecting Jones’ strategy to backfire today.