Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'We are nowhere near our best' - Eddie Jones fires ominous warning

By
England coach Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones fired a warning to England’s Six Nations rivals by insisting they were “nowhere near” their best despite beating Ireland 32-20.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 2018 Grand Slam winners were outplayed in Dublin on Saturday as Henry Slade starred for a dominant England side who wrapped up a bonus-point triumph in style.

But even after halting Ireland’s 12-match winning run at the Aviva Stadium, Jones claimed there was plenty more to come from his side.

“We’re a team that’s still growing, we’re nowhere near our best and will play better than that,” said the Australian.

“Some games are immensely physical, some are more tactical and we went in there and probably shaded them a little bit in that area.

“We know they’re a top team but I thought our intensity, particularly in the first part, was outstanding.”

The result suggests England are primed for a far more profitable campaign than last year’s Six Nations, when they placed fifth, but Jones refuted any notion that it laid down a marker for the World Cup in Japan.

ADVERTISEMENT

“These games have got nothing to do with the World Cup, these games are standalone games between a very good Ireland side and an improving England side and that’s how we’ll look at them,” he said.

“We’ll start worrying about where we are standing in the World Cup when we’re 10 days out from the first game.”

Next up for England is the visit of France to Twickenham and Jones is anticipating a tough challenge against a side who surrendered a 16-0 lead to lose their opener against Wales.

“If you take away the 14 points they gifted Wales, they would have won that game so we’re not going to get too far ahead of ourselves. We know France is going to be a difficult game,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Oita:

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Namibia vs United Arab Emirates | Asia/Africa Rugby World Cup Play-off | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 5

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

Play Video

The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

Play Video

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits