Scots now a threat to Jones and England
No sooner had the final whistle been blown on Scotland’s autumn test series last weekend and the praise began to flow for gregor townsend and his team.
After two victories, the latter a historic triumph over a highly-rated Australian side, and an agonisingly close defeat to world champions New Zealand, the positive verdict on the Scots’ play and potential was almost unanimous throughout the game. Almost.
All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick, South Africa World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar, Sir Clive Woodward and even Australia head coach Michael Cheika were unequivocal — this was a side to fear, a side that now had the armoury to do substantial damage to the rugby elite.
Eddie Jones’ ears must have pricked up. his Spidey sense must have been tingling.
the England head coach has enjoyed being the centre of attention in the northern hemisphere since taking the reins at twickenham following the hosts’ dismal World Cup showing in 2015.
A grand Slam was quickly provided by the Australian in 2016 — and nearly replicated earlier this year but for the intervention of ireland in Dublin.
the praise has certainly flowed in the direction of Jones (above) over the past two seasons.
And yet, almost as if he senses a threat to his crown come February, this master of the mind games has been quick to at least try to rain a little on Scotland’s parade.
it was a blink and you’ll miss it comment but there’s little that comes out of Jones’ mouth that isn’t measured and without purpose.
in the aftermath of Scotland’s victory over Australia, he was asked whether they would be a Six Nations threat based on the way they played. his reply was notable for more than its brevity: ‘i remember before we played them last year they were being talked up as the best team in Europe — so let’s just wait and see.’
of course he is referencing the humbling 61-21 defeat at twickenham during the last Championship. it was a match where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong for the Scots. the loss of Stuart hogg and Mark Bennett within the first 20 minutes to injury. A first-minute yellow card for Fraser Brown. A hitherto dependable defence missing tackle after tackle. Players being forced into unfamiliar positions as the casualty rate escalated in the second half. it was a result that did damage to a number of Scots’ hopes of making the Lions tour that summer, a fact later acknowledged by Warren gatland.
truly, it was a day to forget for Scottish rugby. hence, why Jones is so quick to bring it up.
in the build-up to England’s visit to Murrayfield in February next year, it will be brought up again. of that you can be certain.
And when it is, the Scots should remember the words of others. those of Fitzpatrick or Pienaar. Woodward or Cheika.
they can now hurt the best sides in the world. And Jones knows it.