WE’LL BE SMILES BETTER
Billy’s vow to England
EDDIE JONES has challenged his England players to raise the Six Nations title – and lift the country.
England need a big win away in Italy today to stand a chance of pipping championship rivals Ireland and France to the trophy.
Coach Jones has framed his strategy for a Roman conquest around a priceless opportunity to improve the spirits of a nation weighed down by pandemic concerns.
England star Billy Vunipola said: “The biggest thing for us is that we want people to smile and the people who are going through a tough time back home to be happy.
“The biggest inspiration we can provide is to play good rugby and win something, because everyone smiles with a trophy.”
Nobody was smiling in the England camp after 13 Barbarians players breached Covid- 19 protocols to force the cancellation of last Sunday’s warm- up game.
Hooker Jamie George, who wins his 50th cap at Stadio Olimpico, is a Saracens club- mate of many of the guilty parties, since charged by the RFU. George said: “My personal reaction was one of huge frustration.
“They have obviously gone out and got things very wrong.
“I’ve spoken to a couple of the guys at Saracens who were involved and they realise they messed up.
‘‘ They’re very disappointed in themselves and send their apologies. They’ll take full responsibility for their actions.”
Without that fixture there is the chance England could be ring- rusty as they aim to build a margin of victory to withstand the rival title challenges in Paris, where France host leaders Ireland later tonight.
George added: “We’ve been waiting a long time for the game and everyone is desperate to get out there.
“Obviously it would have been better if we’d had that Barbarians game to get ourselves up to speed, but it wasn’t meant to be.”