Andy Farrell: 'I love Eddie's character and charisma, I’ve learned a lot off him'

The Ireland coach believes that Eddie Jones’s attempts at mind games were an entertainment to be enjoyed rather than in which to participate.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: “I love Eddie’s comments. I love reading them. I think it’s great for the game. I love his character and charisma, I’ve learned a lot off him."

Like death and taxes, there is utter predictability to a team being praised by Eddie Jones before they lock horns with his England team but it meant little to Andy Farrell yesterday as he unveiled his line-up for tomorrow’s Twickenham showdown.

The Ireland boss, made captain by the Australian when their careers crossed at Saracens in 2008, has heard it all before and has this week heard his former boss turned coaching rival install the Irish team as favourites for this Guinness Six Nations round four clash and praise them as the “most cohesive team” in world rugby.