JONES TURNS OFF CHARM
EDDIE JONES charmed a Welsh audience in Cardiff on Thursday night but now he is ready to upset the entire nation with his conviction that England will beat their big rivals today. The Australian ventured back across the Severn with his squad yesterday, having already made a flying visit to the Welsh capital for Gethin Jenkins’s testimonial dinner at the Arms Park. Jones appeared on stage with his Wales counterpart Rob Howley (right), and won over the room with his humour and candour while discussing everything from the stadium roof to a lack of arrogance in his squad — and how a hotel caterer helped convince him to choose Dylan Hartley as captain. Once he had fulfilled the distant, prior engagement, Jones was driven back to England’s Surrey HQ late at night, ready to take training yesterday for this crucial RBS Six Nations encounter. ‘It’s exciting because it’s one of those traditional games and means so much to their supporters and to our supporters,’ he said. ‘It means so much to our team, it means so much to their team. That always adds a little bit. We were disappointed with how we played against France but we will definitely play better — we will play well enough to win.’ While Jones is predicting an allround improvement from his side, England forwards coach Steve Borthwick has suggested that Hartley will also raise his game in the face of a strong challenge for his place from Jamie George. ‘We pick the best team to win, that is the only criterion and Dylan will undoubtedly be better this week,’ he said. ‘Leadership is important.’ Wales centre Scott Williams has outlined what the home side will be up against today, saying: ‘England have shown themselves to be the best team in the world in the last 12 months and it is one of the biggest games I have played in so far. We need to play at our best to have any chance.’