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Agence France-Presse

England coach Eddie Jones forecast his side would be “10 per cent better” against Wales after ending Ireland’s bid for a grand slam with a 24-12 win in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday.
Jones’ men were a commanding 17-0 ahead at the interval thanks to tries from fly-half George Ford and full-back Elliot Daly.
Those scores were both converted by captain Owen Farrell – the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell – with the centre also adding a penalty in what was arguably England’s best 40 minutes since their Rugby World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand last year.
“We played with a lot of control, we read the conditions well, read the referee well and at half-time it was a cricket game, we could have declared,” Jones said.
Clinical Ireland earn bonus-point in convincing win over Wales
England lost their tournament opener away to France, the only side that can now complete a grand slam, in what was their first match since being beaten by South Africa in the World Cup final.
But Sunday’s success, which saw England replacement Luke Cowan-Dickie score a second-half try in between scores from Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw and Andrew Porter, revived their title hopes.


England welcome reigning champions Wales, smarting from a 27-23 defeat by France in Cardiff, to Twickenham when the Championship resumes on March 7.
“We took another step up today and we’ll take another step up when we play Wales,” Jones said.
England handle storm and Scotland to revive title hopes
“We know every time England play Wales it’s the biggest game there’s ever been, so I don’t expect next Saturday week to be any different.”
The former Australia and Japan coach added: “We’re just fitter, we’re able to play with more intensity and we will be better against Wales. We will have another 10 per cent against Wales.”
The Welsh are now being coached by Wayne Pivac, who succeeded Warren Gatland after his fellow New Zealander stood down last year after the World Cup.
“They are playing a bit differently, dangerous with the ball when they again get go forward ... so we will have a closer look at them,” said Jones.
England’s third straight win over Ireland owed much to a colossal pack effort in which Jones said Courtney Lawes – sporting a pre-match black eye worthy of a bout with new world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – and Maro Itoje were “outstanding”.
But the Australian was in spiky mood when asked about the presence of five locks in his matchday 23.
“We are going to go for six locks next week (against Wales), give you something to write about,” said a sarcastic Jones.
Kolisi’s rainbow Boks and Australians, except Eddie Jones: winners and losers from Japan’s Rugby World Cup
“You guys (the media) are so clever, you’re all clever so I’ve just got to suck it all up, enjoy what you say, try to learn from you, and maybe I can pick a better team next week.”
This was England’s first match at Twickenham since they thrashed Ireland 57-15 in a World Cup warm-up match in August.
“It was brilliant to be back at Twickenham, and I hoped everyone saw that in the way that we play,” said Owen Farrell.
“We feel like we’ve put a good performance out today but there’s still loads left in us, a lot left in us, and that’s the exciting bit.”
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on the fact that this was Andy Farrell’s first match against Owen since becoming Ireland’s head coach.
But Farrell junior insisted: “It’s not any different from any other game I’ve ever played in.”


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Six Nations: how a Hong Kong rugby referee made the journey from King’s Park to Twickenham

All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu and Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit talk Six Nations and how a move to Japan improved their game

Six Nations Championship

Six Nations: Eddie Jones declares England will improve against Wales after downing Ireland

Ireland’s Bundee Aki (right) tackles England’s Jamie George (centre) during their Six Nations match at Twickenham. Photo: EPA

Six Nations: clinical Ireland earn bonus-point in convincing win over Wales

Ireland overcame Wales at the Six Nations Championship in Dublin on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Six Nations: England handle storm and Scotland to revive title hopes

England's Ben Youngs clears with a box kick during the Six Nations match against Scotland. Photo: EPA

Kolisi’s rainbow Boks and Australians, except Eddie Jones: winners and losers from Japan’s Rugby World Cup

South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit celebrates with his teammates. Who else won at the Rugby World Cup? Photo: AP

New Zealand's centre Jack Goodhue reacts after losing the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 19, 2019, England's fly-half Owen Farrell (L) tackles Australia's centre Jordan Petaia during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between England and Australia at the Oita Stadium in Oita. - The 19-year-old Petaia became Australia's youngest-ever World Cup player with an electric debut against Uruguay, as he crashed over for one try and set up another in a crucial 45-10 bonus-point win. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 19, 2019 New Zealand's wing Sevu Reece holds onto the ball during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. - All Black wing Sevu Reece was one of only six uncapped players in the preliminary World Cup squad but the 22-year-old forced himself into the first-choice XV with a string of glittering performances. (Photo by Odd Andersen / AFP)

TOPSHOT - England's full back Elliot Daly (L) fights for the ball with Australia's wing Marika Koroibete during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between England and Australia at the Oita Stadium in Oita on October 19, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Sport

Rugby


England halt Ireland’s charge to a triple crown
Eddie Jones triumphant as he hits back at media



England halt Ireland’s charge to a triple crown as Eddie Jones hits back at media.


World Rugby

Six Nations: Eddie Jones declares England will improve against Wales after downing Ireland

England halt Ireland’s charge to a triple crown Eddie Jones triumphant as he hits back at media

England halt Ireland’s charge to a triple crown

Eddie Jones triumphant as he hits back at media