Jones – We will be ready for the niggle

EDDIE Jones insists England will be ready for any provocation in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash at Murrayfield after branding Scotland “niggly”.

Jones recalls an incident before the game two years ago when Scotland No 8 Ryan Wilson shoved

George Ford in the tunnel, prompting Owen Farrell to rush to the defence of his team-mate.

That day ended in a

25-13 defeat that exposed glaring breakdown deficiencies and launched a five-Test losing run that placed Jones’ future in doubt.

In the first visit to Edinburgh since, Jones is primed for more provocation as England look to revive their title aspirations after losing 24-17 to France in Paris.

“Scotland are a niggly side. Our historical record against Scotland is interesting – over 80% wins in England but only 50% at Murrayfield,” Jones said.

Asked for an example of “niggly” conduct, Jones replied: “The dressingroom scene two years ago when they tried to goad a couple of our players. And they were successful.

“Historically, they’ve done that through the ages. That’s the way they stay in the game and they’re good at it.

“It is more than a rugby game for Scotland maybe and you can lose your attention, and your attention in these sorts of game is everything.

“The Murrayfield environment helps them but you’ve got to be good enough to stay focused, be on task, do what you need to do.

“Composure is always important in rugby but probably more so at Murrayfield.”

Luke Cowan-Dickie, whose form is placing pressure on starting hooker Jamie George, will embrace conflict on the field but sees incidents away from it such as 2018 as counter-productive.

“Off the pitch I just think it’s a bit stupid. I don’t know why people do that. In the tunnel I don’t think there is any need. There isn’t a place for it,” Cowan-Dickie said.

“After what happened against France, we definitely need to start strong. So the calmer we can be going into the game the better.”