JONES RELISHES
Enemies’ anniversary clash
EDDIE JONES is preparing for “niggle” when England kick off the defence of the Six Nations against their oldest and thorniest rivals Scotland. It will be 150 years since the first international rugby match took place between the rose and the thistle.
And the
England head coach has his own personal history with the Scots, having been harassed after the Calcutta Cup match three years ago in an incident that saw three Scotland fans prosecuted.
But that does not stop him relishing Saturday’s occasion and licking his lips at the prospect of the championship getting off to a fiery start at Twickenham.
“It’s a fantastic way to start the Six Nations – the 150th anniversary of the first game between Scotland and England – so it’s going to be a great celebration and we’re going to be up for it,” said Jones.
“It means a lot to both countries so I’m sure it’s going to be a tough, possibly niggly affair. We are close neighbours and it is the big brother versus little brother.
“For England to be playing against Scotland will mean as much for the English players as it will for the Scottish players, whether there are 80,000 people there or not.
“Those people watching at home are going to enjoy the game.”
It will Jones’s 60th Test in charge of England; his first in 2016 was a 15-9 win at Murrayfield against the Scots.
“I can remember arriving at the ground and the abuse we received set a great scene for the game,” he said.
England’s record against the Scots under Jones is won three, lost one with one spellbinding 38-38 draw the last time the sides met at Twickenham when the visitors came back from
31-0 down.
Last year was the polar opposite as a spectacle with England prevailing 13-6 in Edinburgh as Storm Ciara left travelling fans stranded and reduced the game to near-farce at times.
For all its ugliness, Jones loved it. “I thought last year our win over them was outstanding,” he said.