Mischievous Eddie Jones stokes up pressure on Scotland

Eddie Jones and Vern Cotter have engaged in a round of verbal sparring in the build-up to England’s RBS 6 Nations opener with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Both coaches installed their rival’s team as favourites for the Edinburgh showdown on Saturday week with Jones arguing the Scots’ performance at the World Cup identifies them as the form team in Europe.

The 55-year-old compared England’s dismal showing at the global showpiece, in which they failed to qualify for the knockout phase, to Scotland being denied a place in the semi-finals by an erroneous penalty.