Stephen Larkham: Spoilt Eddie Jones must justify resources

Australia have gone on the offensive ahead of tomorrow’s Cook Cup clash by claiming England coach Eddie Jones is “spoilt” and accusing his players of hitting their half-backs late.

The old rivals collide at Twickenham amid a backdrop of provocation from the Wallabies, a marked departure to the build-up of previous encounters, when it is Jones who has waged the phoney war.

Wallabies assistant-coach Stephen Larkham opened hostilities by goading Jones, under whom he won 43 Australia caps, over the financial support provided by the Rugby Football Union that places the England boss under pressure to deliver results. So far, Jones has satisfied that demand, overseeing four wins against the team he coached from 2001 to 2005 as part of a sequence of 20 victories from 21 Tests, but he now faces the biggest home game of the year against a resurgent Australia.