JONES DECLARES RUGBY WAR ON FRANCE

(Blimey Eddie, that’s a bit drastic even for you...we only left the EU last night!)

EDDIE JONES declared rugby war on France with his promise to bring “brutal physicality” to tomorrow’s Six Nations clash.

And no sooner had opposite number Fabien Galthie risen to the bait than Jones went on the attack again. “England against France is nicknamed ‘Le Crunch’ and there’s a good

FROM BACK PAGE reason for that – it’s a great and historical rivalry, a battle for supremacy,” he said. “It’s a brutal, physically aggressive game, and we intend to play tough. French teams (Virimi Vakatawa, left) never have been shy and never will be. We’re looking forward to it.” Jones’ remarks came after World Cup winner Martin Johnson likened the Six Nations to a “backyard brawl” and said: “Some days, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves, subdue a team, and strangle them, if that’s what needs doing – club them to death before they club you.” But Galthie vowed to meet fire with fire. “Expect a ferocious pack, expect a ferocious battle to win the ball,” he warned. “Expect my players to push their limits, for them to give everything, for phases of fierce fighting, for ferocious tackles and collisions, for a team who will never surrender.”

Jones was challenged by reporters on his use of the word “brutal”, which, when translated into French, has explicit connotations of violence.

The Australian added: “I apologise if it’s been interpreted in the wrong way, but we saw in the World Cup final how important aggression is. It’s going to be the same on Sunday.”