Jones:This time we’re bringing a w Ar... and taking our Cup back
Maro: This is where I want to be. You can’t think you are in and going to next World Cup... rugby doesn’t work like that. I need to up my game
EDDIE JONES has warned Scotland that England will be “going after them” at Murrayfield on a Calcutta Cup revenge mission this Saturday.
Not since 1984 has an England side headed north of the border emptyhanded, with the oldest trophy in Test rugby currently in Scotland’s possession, after the visitors’ win at Twickenham last season.
And Jones is promising that his men will be on the warpath as they attempt to wrestle back the famous silverware.
England coach Jones said: “Everyone knows the history between the two countries and we know the history of the game of rugby.
“The Calcutta Cup is the oldest rugby trophy and we know every time Scotland play against England it is their biggest game of the tournament.
“But the big difference this year is that we are going up there to get them, we are going after them and so they are going to have to be pretty good.
“A lot of it is about the mindset and the way you approach the game. You’ve got to start the game well, get into the game and go after them – and we’re looking forward to start preparing for that.”
The aggressive intent Jones is demanding is much in need after a wretched Six Nations campaign last season, which saw England finish fifth in the table.
But a promising autumn, topped off with a dramatic victory over world champio South Africa, indicates they are back o the right track.
The fact that the win over the Springboks came without captain Owe Farrell – who will be an absentee for th entire Six Nations championship – sho add belief to a new-look side.
But Murrayfield will be a stiff test. “We know they are a good team. It i sizeable challenge and you put on top that the extraordinary weather conditi you can have up there,” said Jones.
“It was hurricane-like conditions last
EXCLUSIVE MARO ITOJE has challenged himself to step up and seize the moment in England’s Six Nations campaign.
The British & Irish Lions star was stung by England coach Eddie Jones questioning his leadership qualities in the autumn – even taking himself off to communication classes.
But this week Itoje showed his new-found readiness to lead by taking charge of an impromptu team meeting in a Brighton pub after a fire had wrecked England’s original best-laid plans.
Itoje insists the Red Rose brigade are in a totally different place to a year ago when they slumped to a fifth-place Six Nations finish.
Itoje said: “I’ve been part of the team now for five-and-a-half years and, as rugby players, sometimes you do get into a way of thinking, ‘If I don’t do it this year, I’ll do it next year’. That, ‘I’m still in the age profile, which means I’ll be around for the next World Cup’.
“Well, rugby doesn’t work like that. Nothing tomorrow is guaranteed. Each moment you experience you really have to relish. I might wake up tomorrow
and there’s a whole new generation of giant second rows who’ve dropped on the planet, a bit like the film Space Jam (below).
“I could be yesterday’s news. You have to make the most of the moments you have because they can be taken from you very quickly.”
Itoje has a “new sense of optimism” compared to a year ago when he was kicking his heels at Saracens, who had been banished from the Premiership to a league without a start date.
“We are in a completely different place individually and as a team,” said the player who cut a frustrated figure in the last Six Nations, conceding a championship-high 12 penalties as England trailed in fifth.
“Back then,individually, a few players didn’t have a lot of game time, there were no fans at matches and we were operating in a more restrictive Covid environment. “Compare that to now and we’re miles apart. We’re in a much stronger position, coming off a decent autumn, a new team and coaches.
“We’re certainly not looking backwards to the type of team we were. We’re looking forward to the type of team we believe we’re going to be.”
Jones’ most pressing decision could yet be who leads England into the tournament. He named Owen Farrell as captain only for the playmaker to suffer a freak training ground injury, which ended his campaign hopes.
Courtney Lawes is next cab off the rank, but is struggling to overcome a concussion.
It remains to be seen whether Itoje gets the call for a job which Jones only recently considered him ill-equipped.
But, armband or not, Super Maro is looking ready to lead from the front.