England recall props Sinckler and Vunipola
ENGLAND are looking inwards for the missing intensity that Eddie Jones insists is responsible for the poor start to their Six Nations title defence.
Scotland emerged convincing 11-6 winners from Saturday’s opener to register a first win at Twickenham since 1983, leaving Owen Farrell’s team to begin the rebuilding process against Italy this weekend.
Jones has been overseeing a forensic review of the Calcutta Cup surrender and is targeting a quick return to form when the Azzurri visit London in round two.
“We just felt that we held back a little bit and we weren’t our usual vibrant selves,” head coach Jones said. “We’re really making sure that we focus on ourselves this week and get playing the sort of rugby we’d like to play, which is getting on the front foot and keeping the opposition on the back foot.
“We’re just disappointed we didn’t improve from the French game (in the Autumn Nations Cup). We’re always looking to improve. I take responsibility for the performance.
“Sometimes you don’t give the players exactly the right information and we didn’t play the way that we wanted to. We’re on to Italy now.”
England have added props Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola to their 28-man squad at the expense of Harry Williams and Tom West.
Sinckler missed the Calcutta Cup debacle due to serving a ban for swearing at a referee, while Vunipola has been out since November with an Achilles injury. Vunipola has fully recovered and will face Italy.
“They’re both exceptional players. Mako is the elder statesman of the side, an experienced player,” Jones said. “He’s been training really well. He’s got a lot of conditioning in him and we feel that he’ll be available.
“Kyle was dynamic for us during the autumn. It’s good to have those two back.”