FOR NIGGLE Jones expects tough start
EDDIE JONES is preparing for “niggle” when England kick-off the defence of the Six Nations against their oldest and thorniest rivals, Scotland.
It will be 150 years since the first international rugby match took place between the rose and the thistle and plenty of water has flowed under the bridge in that time – some of it distinctly murky.
England’s head coach has his own personal history with the Scots having been abused and harassed after the Calcutta Cup match three years ago in an ugly incident which saw three Scotland fans prosecuted and fined.
But that does not stop him relishing Saturday’s occasion and licking his lips at the prospect of the championship getting off to a fiery start at Twickenham.
“It’s a fantastic way to start the Six Nations – the 150th anniversary of the first game between Scotland and England – so it’s going to be a great celebration and we’re going to be up for it,” said Jones.
“It means a lot to both countries so I’m sure it’s going to be a tough, possibly niggly affair. We are close neighbours and it is the big brother versus little brother.
“There is always that intense rivalry between the two countries.
“It’s a great game against Scotland because it means so much to everyone.
“I remember a few years ago coming back from a Scotland game and getting accosted by a few Scottish supporters which was a bit of fun.
“For England to be playing against Scotland will mean as much for the English players as it will for the Scottish players whether there is 80,000 people there or not.
“They see it is an important game, we see it as an important game and it will be intense, contestable and tough. Those people watching at home are going to enjoy the game.”
It will Jones’s 60th Test in charge of England on Saturday – his first in 2016 was a 15-9 win at Murrayfield against the Scots.
“I can remember arriving at the ground and the abuse we received set a great scene for the game,” he said.
“That first game the team and I didn’t know each other that well.
“I think we’d had 10 days together so we had to find a way to win that day and I remember Mako Vunipola threw a beautiful pass for Jack Nowell to score in the righthand corner and seal our victory, so that was a good moment.”
England’s record against the Scots under Jones is won three, lost one with one spellbinding 38-38 draw last time the sides met at Twickenham when the visitors came back from 31-0 down.
Last year was the polar opposite as a spectacle with England prevailing 13-6 in Edinburgh as Storm Ciara left travelling fans stranded and reduced the game to near-farce at times. For all its ugliness, Jones loved it.
“I thought last year our win over them was outstanding,” he said.
“It was an off the cuff game, we’d been criticised heavily by the media and we played in very difficult conditions and won quite convincingly.
“They are good, tough games of rugby against Scotland.”
Italy v France (2.15pm), England v Scotland (4.45pm).
Wales v Ireland (3pm).
England v Italy (2.15pm), Scotland v Wales (4.45pm).
Ireland v France (3pm).
Italy v Ireland (2.15pm), Wales v England (4.45pm).
France v Scotland
Scotland v Italy
(2.15pm), Ireland v England (4.45pm), France v Wales (8pm).