If Eddie Jones does decide to put Nathan Hughes straight into the starting lineup against Scotland on Saturday, my guess is he will play for 60 minutes before the cavalry come onIt comes as no surprise to hear England’s coaches have been glowing about the impact Nathan Hughes has off the field as well as on it. He might not necessarily come across as a larger than life character but from what I hear, around the camp he is a lively guy, he gets things going and he will bring the energy and intensity to another level.The coaches have talked about how he is with the young players, too – he was Marcus Smith’s room-mate at one of the training...
The visitors’ showing when it dried up at Twickenham will give hope to Scotland when Eddie Jones’s side visit MurrayfieldIf it rains for the next five weeks, England will be crowned Six Nations champions because Eddie Jones’s side have once again demonstrated they are the best wet-weather team in the world at the moment.As seen against Wales, England had a plan and they executed it perfectly. What impressed me most was how the half-backs – and I include Owen Farrell in that – dropped those kicks in behind the wings and just showed far superior tactical awareness than their opposite numbers throughout. Related: Jonny May’s early tries take England over the line against battling Wales Related: Greig Laidlaw’s nerveless kicking...
Wales have case for moral victory in loss to England, Scotland prepare for ‘Big One’ and Ellie Kildunne’s stock continues to riseOne minute Eddie Jones is using the media to put pressure on opposition captains and fly-halves, the next he is criticising those whom he perceives are giving insufficient credit to himself and some of his players. “You guys tell me Mike Brown can’t play Test rugby … you guys are unbelievable!” he told his BBC 5 Live’s Chris Jones after Saturday’s narrow 12-6 win over Wales. “You’re always criticising him and now he has a good game you’re all on the bandwagon. You guys are better selectors than we are, that’s what you think you are.” Given England have...
Twickenham oozes intimidation but Wales stand their ground in a bruising Test decided by the finest of marginsIt was a foul day, cold, wet and grey, but no one at Twickenham cared too much about that. There was enough heat on the pitch to keep everyone warm. It was a brutal, bad-tempered game, a brawl in a squall.It seems whatever else Eddie Jones’s provocations achieved, they certainly did not improve the relations between the teams and in the stands the atmosphere was as intense as it has been in a long while. The roar of anticipation in those last few seconds before the kick-off must have echoed right across west London. Twickenham is an intimidating place to come and play...
The fly-half suffered under the high ball against resilient and resourceful opponents but will rise to future challengesIf Wales had arrived with the ambition to paint the town Scarlet, they had not reckoned on England’s white orcs. This England pack may not be quite at the level of the 2003 vintage, which earned that back-handed compliment of a nickname, but Wales, for all their spirited endeavour, could not break down a remarkable English defensive wall. Twickenham was stormed but remains standing.Wales will point to a first-half try questionably chalked off, and judging by how they responded to conceding two early scores, Warren Gatland was surely right in his assessment that his side are the fitter. Rhys Patchell endured a forgettable...