Eddie Jones: Let’s embrace Cardiff hostility

England 19 France 16: England will embrace the hostility awaiting in Cardiff once Eddie Jones has examined the psychology behind Wales’ control of a fixture he claims has left previous Red Rose teams “petrified”.

France were edged 19-16 at Twickenham on Saturday to keep the champions’ Grand Slam hopes intact, but a study of the record books tells Jones that a different challenge lies at the Principality Stadium. The Australian views England’s failure-to-win rate of 62.3% in 61 visits to the Welsh capital as an anomaly that has its origins in the fearful minds of sides crossing the Severn Bridge and is to seek advice over its source.

A 21-16 triumph in 2015 remains vivid in the memory, but that was the highlight of a spell of just two England wins in their last seven visits to Cardiff, a run that includes a traumatising collapse when the Grand Slam beckoned four years ago.