Scottish insults will not stop the England charge
BEN YOUNGS expects the Scotland camp to fire more verbal bullets in England’s direction in the build-up to the latest Calcutta Cup clash.
But the scrum-half has told them they will be wasting their time and will not derail Eddie Jones’ men in their bid to take another huge step towards their world record run of consecutive wins and back-to-back Grand Slam dream.
Leicester star Youngs hit back at former Scotland coach Jim Telfer’s pre-Six Nations jibe that Jones is “a bit like Donald Trump” and his scathing remarks about the Twickenham crowd’s lack of respect.
Youngs, though, insists England will do their talking on the pitch as they attempt to maintain their proud home record of not being beaten by the Scots since 1983 and make it 18 Test wins on the trot in the process.
A victory at Twickenham on Saturday would equal the All Blacks’ world record winning run which was ended by Ireland in November.
Ireland are also the team Jones’ men would have to beat in the final round of Six Nations games in order to get to 19 wins.
Asked about Telfer’s comments, Youngs, 27, who is set to regain the No.9 jersey from Danny Care, said: “He always does it. He has come at me once and I have never met the bloke. That was a couple of years ago.
“His opinion of Twickenham is obviously different to mine but he probably hasn’t had good experiences there if they haven’t won for 34 years, which is probably why he has got that opinion.
“I am sure he will come out again in the build-up. GARY FITZGERALD When you go to Australia, David Campese and all those guys come out.
“I am sure there will be some bits said over the next few days.”
England top the Six Nations table with three wins from three while Scotland arrive on the back of superb wins over Wales and Ireland in this campaign.
Youngs added: “Scotland would love to knock us off our perch. Anyone would.
“The fact we’ve been on this run and are still on it means that anyone that plays us raises their game. Just like France, Wales and Italy have done so far in the tournament. “Scotland now have that belief and will feel they can get a result.
“But that’s great for us. It gives us real drive and there has been a certain edge in training this week with the forwards which I haven’t seen for a while.
“I don’t think you need too much more incentive than the fact that it is England against Scotland.
“I can’t say there is too much love between the two nations and there certainly isn’t in this side either. That rivalry has been there way before I played for England.
“That rivalry has been huge since the first one in 1871 and I don’t think that has changed.
“England-Scotland is a big game. It’s the Calcutta Cup and you rarely get those weeks.”
England hope to have Billy Vunipola back in their side at Twickenham following a knee injury.
The Saracens star will earn a recall if he comes through his comeback game against Newcastle today unscathed.
Youngs said: “To have him back would be a big lift.”
It is their worst start to a season since 2009 when coach Jimmy Lowes got the push after losing the first three games.
But Smith (right) claims there is no need to panic just yet.
He said: “We know we are going to get some form together, probably when it gets drier.
“At this time of year you’re going to get some of these results but I am not making excuses. We were erratic and spasmodic.
“But I do not think you can determine who can win the competition in the first few weeks and who is going to come last.
“It takes a while to settle down. We are not sitting where we would like to sit but it is where you sit after round 23 that counts.”
Wolves were sensational in the World Club Series win over Brisbane Broncos last month but their Super League form is definitely TAT’S YER LOT: Sam Billings Catalans Dragons 14 Widnes 14 RHYS HANBURY helped Widnes slug their way to a hard-fought draw with Catalans in a Perpignan mud bath.
The Vikings have never won in the south of France and trailed 14-0 after half an hour.
But they battled back with tries from Patrick Ah Van, Tom Olbison and Hanbury to seal their first point of the Super League season. suffering a hangover from that. They struggled to get into this tussle and Salford deservedly took an early lead through excellent centre Junior Sa’u.
Wo l ve s h i t b a c k w i t h a touchdown from Declan Patton but t he Red Devils had t he bit between their teeth and regained the lead with a George Griffin try.
Jack Hughes snatched the lead back for the visitors just before the break and the clever money looked to be on them then taking control in the second half.
But Salford, who have now won two of