Go, Calcutta!
ENGLAND BOSS JONES IS READY FOR A FIERY OPENER AGAINST AULDEST ENEMIES
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 a Calcutta Cup match three years ago, in an ugly incident which was to see three Scotland fans prosecuted and fined.
But he’s relishing Saturday’s occasion and 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 (below).
“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 for 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.
“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’ 60th Test in charge of England. His first was a 15-9 win at Murrayfield against the Scots in 2016. Jones recalled: “I can remember arriving at the ground and the abuse we received set a great scene for 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 that let Jack Nowell score in the corner and seal our victory so that was a good moment.”
England’s record against the Scots under Jones is won three, lost one, and a spellbinding 38-38 draw last time the sides met at Twickenham, which saw the visitors came back from 31-0 down.
Last year saw England prevail 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.
“Our win over them was outstanding,” he said. “It was an off-the-cuff game, we’d been criticised heavily by the media and played in tough conditions and won well.
“They are always good, tough games of rugby against Scotland.”