Eddie Jones setting new standards of bravado

It is a mark of just how far England have come under Eddie Jones that when the topic of facing off against New Zealand was put to him yesterday, the Australian retorted with a wry smile and bags of confidence.

“If the All Blacks want to turn up to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and want to play us after Ireland, then we’ll consider it,” he said.

When further pressed if England could defeat the No.1 team in the world, Jones replied: “After we’d beaten Ireland? Who knows mate? It would be interesting, wouldn’t it?”