Jones confident Bairstow visit can help England leave Pumas in a spin

ENGLAND intend hitting Argentina for six after cricket World Cup winner Jonny Bairstow visited their camp to deliver a motivational talk for today’s autumn opener at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones’ squad were captivated as Bairstow told how he dealt with the highs and lows of his career, most recently the difficulty in coming to terms with the broken leg sustained during a freak golfing accident that has forced him to miss the T20 World Cup in Australia.

England face the Pumas in the opening match of the Autumn Nations Series and Bairstow, who played for Yorkshire in age grade rugby, offered an insight into how he copes with pressure as they continue the countdown to their own global showpiece.

‘Jonny was fantastic. He’s a big rugby fan, a No10. He had the boys enthralled,’ Jones said.

‘He’s a great guy, loves his sport. He’s a dedicated sportsman and he loved watching training. Wants to bat at five, he tells me.’

All eyes will be on Manu Tuilagi as the powerful Sale centre makes his first England appearance for a year after being hampered by injuries.

Expectation is balanced with caution considering Tuilagi’s history of breaking down and Jones admits a player he is desperate to have available for the World Cup faces an important 80 minutes.

‘Manu is in great nick. Psychologically he’s focused, the medical staff in conjunction with Sale have done a great job in getting him back and this game is the big test,’ Jones said.

‘He has got a good opportunity to put together a great 12 months of rugby. He has kept himself healthy, Sale are looking after him well and we hope to get the best out of him.

‘The players love playing with him because he is an engaging guy and he brings that physicality.’