Jones turns on the charm ahead of clash with Ireland
EDDIE JONES has opted to send lots of love Ireland’s way ahead of tomorrow week’s pivotal Six Nations battle with Ireland, praising opposition captain Johnny Sexton.
Ahead of previous encounters the Australian has ramped up tensions and controversially singled out Ireland’s new skipper, but yesterday he opted for an uber-positive approach.
While Sexton’s performance against Wales was widely praised, some commentators in England questioned his interactions with the referee. Jones believes he will grow into the role.
“Everyone, in their first few games as captain, particularly at international level where you’re under such a spotlight and particularly in the Six Nations, it’s difficult, and he’s learning his craft,” said Jones. “He’ll end up being a very good captain.
“They’re well coached. A good team. We respect them a lot. We highly respect them.”
England will be without Anthony Watson, but hope to have Manu Tuilagi available as Henry Slade faces a race to be fit.
“Manu is looking very good. Very promising. He should be in full training by the start of next week,” Jones said. “Henry Slade ran today and we’ve yet to get a medical report. It’s definitely promising but too early to say whether he will be all right for Ireland or not.”
Missed
Andy Farrell will probably have to plan without Will Addison for the Twickenham clash after he missed Ireland’s camp in Cork due to a calf injury, while hopes of Garry Ringrose playing a further part in this year’s Six Nations are receding.
Elsewhere, Wales expect Dan Biggar to face France despite the out-half suffering a third head injury this season.
Biggar is currently going through concussion protocols after clashing heads with Robbie Henshaw during Wales’ 24-14 defeat in Dublin.
The Northampton Saints playmaker failed a dressing-room head injury assessment (HIA) shortly afterwards and has just over a week to prove his fitness ahead of France’s visit to Cardiff on February 22.
“Dan is all right, he’s just doing the normal return-to-play protocols,” said Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins.
“That takes a bit of time but he is pretty good and is recovering pretty well, so hopefully he will be OK for next week.”
Meanwhile, Jamie George is the first member of Saracens’ influential England contingent to publicly commit his future to the fallen double winners.
The English and European champions will be relegated from the Gallagher Premiership in June as punishment for repeated breaches of salary cap regulations amid calls for them to be stripped of their titles.
Although details have yet to be finalised, George intends to stay at the club for next season’s campaign in the Championship, despite the potential impact on his international prospects.