Gatland intrigued by Jones

WALES rugby bossWarren Gatland says he is “intrigued” by his England counterpart Eddie Jones as the coaching heavyweights prepare f or a NatWest 6 Nations showdown.

Gatland will send an unchanged team to Twickenham for Saturday’s clash following a 34-7 thumping of Scotland.

His only switch is on the bench, where fit-again George North takes over from Owen Watkin, North poised for a first Wales appearance since l ast season’s Six Nations finale against France.

Saturday’s victors will be firmly on the road to a possible Six Nations title and Grand Slam triumph, yet as much i nterest surrounds t he t actical battle between two revered rugby brains.

There were no mind games from Gatland at his team announcement, although he did deliver a couple of playful one-liners.

Asked if he noticed a difference among t he England players from previous British and Irish Lions tours on last year’s New Zealand excursion, Gatland said: “I didn’t notice because it is the first time they’ve had a few English players!”

And, encouraged t o discuss Jones possibly being the 2021 Lions chief in South Africa, Gatland added: “He’ll do a great job if he’s Lions coach. A 3-0 (Test series win) will be expected. It’s probably the easiest of the three tours, isn’t it?

“I’m just intrigued by watching him, the way he prepares and how he goes about things. You learn as much as you can from others. You l earn from watching other people.”

Eddie Jones