Tough pool perfect for knockout preparation says Eddie

ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones has given his players two years to become ‘bullet-proof like James Bond’ after his side were pitched into another tough Pool for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

England will face France and Argentina in Pool C, with the USA and Samoa likely to complete the group based on their current standings in the Americas and Oceania.

The draw was made in Kyoto where Jones joked about visiting one of the city's famous temples because he needs to “pray hard” for English fortune.

“We want to win the World Cup so we need to be able to beat anyone,” said Jones. “I struggle with complacency in English rugby so if there is any complacency now then it will make my selection easy. We are going to have to be bullet-proof.

“England were bulletproof when they won in 2003. We're not bulletproof yet but I don’t want to be bullet-proof yet. We lost to Ireland in Dublin which was a great lesson but we’ve still got two years.

“Even James Bond is not bullet-proof for the whole movie. There are times when he is susceptible. You need to peak at the right time.”

It is November 2, 2019, at 8pm when Jones wants England to peak – the World Cup final at the Yokohoma Stadium. The next 906 days will be geared towards that moment for Jones.

“No one wants to get ahead of themselves but you need to be right for the finals,” said Jones.

“At the moment, France are not a fit team but they’ve got big, talented ball-runners. As soon as they get an offload, their speed changes from a Vauxhall Viva to a BMW M5. Argentina are not as physical but more dextrous with passing.

“My experience of the World Cup is that to win two tough games is the best preparation. There’s no better rivalry than England and France, is there? The draw’s good for us because it will keep us on our toes. To make the final we have to win four tough games.”