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Youngs tries to pinpoint the reasons behind England's improvement
By Online Editors
Ben Youngs claims England have produced the greatest rugby of the Eddie Jones era in sweeping aside Ireland and France.
Emphatic wins in the opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations have set-up a title showdown with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday week that will place the Grand Slam in the winners’ sights.
Jones has masterminded 30 wins from 37 Tests as England head coach in a record that includes a Grand Slam, Championship title and 3-0 series whitewash of the Wallabies in Australia.
But Youngs believes that by amassing 10 tries in dominant displays at the Aviva Stadium and Twickenham, the team is scaling new heights.
When asked if England are playing at the highest level of rugby under Jones, Youngs replied: “From what I remember since I’ve been involved with Eddie, yes.
“It’s probably not higher intensity, just more consistent within it. Maybe that’s maturity, personnel – I’m not sure.
“It’s certainly great fun out there. You can probably see it – from one to 23, guys are thriving and loving being part of the team.
“If you’re 30-8 up against France at half time you are doing something right. There weren’t many mistakes.”
The biggest win over France since 1911 has cranked up expectation surrounding the February 23 showdown in Cardiff as England look to continue their stunning start to World Cup year.
Wales are the only other Six Nations team with a 100 per cent record after posting wins against France and Italy.
“Wales have had a good run. We are going to embrace and enjoy the big two-week build-up,” Youngs said.
“This is what the Championship is about – it always comes down to certain games.
“France was a Championship decider, the same in a fortnight’s time. We will take every game as it comes but certainly, this one is hugely exciting.”
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Watch: Jones and Farrell on France win and facing Wales
The only frustration to emerge from the Twickenham landslide was an ankle problem sustained by Mako Vunipola, with an update on the blockbusting loosehead prop’s condition expected in the coming days.
Second row Maro Itoje has an outside chance of being available against Wales as he continues his recovery from a knee ligament tear, but hooker Dylan Hartley will miss out again because of a similar injury.
While England rampage through the Six Nations, abject France are in freefall amid demands for Jacques Brunel to be sacked.
Morgan Parra, the country’s most capped scrum-half, has hinted at discord in the camp.
“I think that we are capable of doing what the English do, but are we working on this during training? I think we don’t work on it enough, even not at all,” Parra said.
“Yet these are very simple things that are today part of high-level rugby. We can do this. But do we work on it? No.”
Press Association
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Latest Comments
GB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
Go to commentsTupaea is a natural 12. What is it with you kiwis and playing players out of their positions. Is that some sort of national sport? Is that on purpose? You’ve got an utility back and a winger at 12 and 13 respectivelly. You played Savea at 8 for ages, wasting the potential of one of the world’s three best players in the last 4-5 years.
ALB is equally effective at 12 and 13, so why not have him or Tupaea at 12, and Proctor at 13? God forbid you’d have two midfielders playing at their natural positions! There must be a law in New Zealand, that prohibits that. Small sample size, but Proctor walked on water in his international debut at 13.
But the kiwi selectors seem to love Rieko’s speed, so as long as the horse is fast enough, they decided they’ll teach him to climb trees anyway.
You don’t have a better 10 than BB and Mo’unga. DMac is a more instinctive attacker (almost as good as Mo’unga … almost), but doesn’t have BB’s game-controlling skills. You have and will lose games due to his aimless kicking and spur-of-the-moment inventions none of his team mates are able to read at the international pace. Works okay at Super Rugby level, doesn’t mean it’s transferable to test matches. But hey, suit yourself.
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