Tackling virus is the priority for wary Ford

ENGLAND are coming to terms with the premature end to their Six Nations campaign but George Ford admitted yesterday that the postponement of rugby matches is insignificant in the context of the global coronavirus crisis.

Eddie Jones’ team’s clash with Italy in Rome was postponed after an intervention by the Italian government, as part of their attempts to contain a mass outbreak of the virus in the country. Championship officials confirmed yesterday lunchtime that the fixture had been postponed, with the intention of re-scheduling that match and the Ireland-Italy fixture to a later date in the year.

After naming his side to face Wales at Twickenham tomorrow,

Jones was at pains to emphasise it was business as usual for his squad.

However, despite their determination to stay focused, they are aware of the news dominating the agenda outside the confines of their camp.

Fly-half Ford demonstrated a sense of perspective, saying: ‘There are rugby games and then there are other things going on in the world that are a little bit more important.

‘For us, it’s about concentrating on the game on Saturday. We’ll be told what the right thing to do is — both inside and outside the camp — because it’s obviously something that needs to be dealt with.

‘There are important things other than Wales. You speak about family all the time. There are things that happen in your life all the time.

‘When we were in Japan, there was the typhoon... there are bigger things than rugby and sport that are more critical than us playing. But this needs to be dealt with and we’ll do what is right.’

A statement from Six Nations organisers confirmed the postponement of the three Italy-England matches involving the senior men’s, women’s and Under-20s teams, and referred to an intention ‘to complete all 15 games across all three Championships when time allows’.

It went on to suggest that, as it stands, all other Six Nations matches are due to go ahead as planned — including the FranceIreland fixture in Paris on March 14, when the hosts may be striving to clinch a Grand Slam, and Scotland’s final match in Wales.

Meanwhile, head coach Jones has ordered his players to take revenge on the Welsh after tapping into last year’s humiliation in Cardiff.

The 21-13 defeat killed off English hopes of a Grand Slam, before thenhead coach Warren Gatland questioned their big-game ability.

Wayne Pivac has since taken over from Gatland, but Jones has not forgotten the ‘bottle job’ narrative that threatened to derail World Cup preparations.

After naming England’s most experienced team of all time for tomorrow’s match, he said: ‘EnglandWales games are a little bit different, aren’t they? You never like to lose to Wales… and we lost last year. So we owe them one.

‘That was one of the games that got us in our best condition for the World Cup. It’s still a game that irks the players. It irks me.’

England threw away a half-time lead at the Principality Stadium, where Wales wound up Kyle Sinckler and emphatically celebrated their two late tries.

Gatland’s barbs created the headlines but Jones promised that tomorrow’s act, in contrast, will be a ‘silent comedy’.

‘They are tough affairs that go down to the wire. Particularly under Warren, they have been one of the most physical teams in the world,’ said Jones. ‘Pivac’s trying to add a more passing attack game. They’ll still bring that physical quality.’

England have beaten Scotland and Ireland and Jones has made just two team changes as he bids for a Triple Crown.

Mark Wilson replaces the injured Sam Underhill at No 7, while fitagain Anthony Watson takes over from Jonathan Joseph on the wing.

Josh Navidi has been backed to leave England blue after replacing Taulupe Faletau at No 8.

Navidi had hamstring trouble but is now fit to start and Pivac reckons the 29-year-old is ready to shine.

‘Josh is a fantastic player,’ said Pivac. ‘When he played for Wales against New Zealand, Steve Hansen asked who he was because he was so impressed. He’s stood up and played in some big matches for us. We’re confident he’ll do that again.’