The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dragons won’t engage in verbal battle with Jones
Wales have steered clear of any verbal sparring match with England boss Eddie Jones prior to tomorrow’s NatWest 6 Nations showdown.
Jones has ignited the build-up to an inevitably high-octane Twickenham occasion, highlighting what he sees as Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell’s Test match inexperience and labelling him as Wales’ “thirdchoice 10”.
He claimed Scarlets star Patchell will be “under some heat” this weekend when Wales target a first Twickenham Six Nations win against England since 2012.
Reflecting on Wales’ 34-7 thumping of Scotland last weekend, Jones said: “Wales played really well against Scotland, but it’s going to be different on Saturday – they had no expectation on them last Saturday, but this week they come full of expectation.
“Everyone has been telling them how well they played. (Wales coach) Warren Gatland’s been talking a lot this week. He’s confident. They’re confident.”
Wales, though, left for their Surrey base yesterday having not engaged in verbal jousting.
“I don’t know what Eddie has said, but any player wearing the number 10 jersey is going to be put under pressure,” Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde said. “There’s nothing different there. “He (Patchell) is surrounded by a number of players from his (Scarlets) region and that cohesion it brings, that familiarity, will hopefully stand up under the pressure of international rugby. As we saw last Saturday, it was good to watch.
“I am not going to try (to respond) with Eddie. I know better! He’s got a few things to get off his chest, and hopefully he’ll feel better for it.”
Asked if there was a message for Jones, McBryde added: “I’m going to stay out of it. I can’t win that one.”
Wales have beaten England three times at Twickenham since Warren Gatland became head coach 10 years ago, and they were the last team to topple them there in a Six Nations fixture six years ago.