bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

England will look to become only the sixth team to win back-to-back grand slams in the Six Nations when this season’s championship gets underway next weekend.
Their opening match against France at Twickenham next Saturday will see England bidding to extend their 14-match winning streak, with 13 of those victories under coach Eddie Jones since the Australian’s appointment following a first round exit at the 2015 World Cup.
Another perfect Six Nations season would see England surpass world champions New Zealand’s record of 18 successive top-tier test wins.
New Zealand will also provide a target of a different sort as it is the destination for the British & Irish Lions tour in June, with the combined side seeking just a second series win over the All Blacks to follow their celebrated 1971 triumph.

“It’s one of the greatest things in world rugby, a Lions tour,” said Jones. “It’s something we’ve got to hold dear.
“But the players have got to understand it’s a consequence of playing well for England. If they play well for England they’re going to get selected for the Lions.”
Battered and bruised Eddie Jones looking worse for wear at Six Nations launch
With England missing former captain Chris Robshaw and powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi for the whole of the Six Nations, while nursing injury doubts over back-rows Billy Vunipola and James Haskell, as well as wing Anthony Watson, their strength in depth will be tested.
Indeed predictions of a winner take-all grand slam decider between England and Ireland could well have fallen flat by the time the teams meet in Dublin in the final round of the Six Nations on March 18.

Ireland deserve their billing as second favourites, however, after ending New Zealand’s record-breaking run with a stunning maiden win over the All Blacks in Chicago in November that also bolstered the Lions’ self-belief.
“A top-two finish would be great,” said Ireland’s Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt. “It’s hard to say anything beyond that, because I think this Six Nations will be the most competitive I’ll have been involved in.”
No blues as All Blacks fans hail awesome men in green after Ireland end world record run in Chicago
Wales have a new captain in Alun Wyn Jones, while Scotland and Italy promise to be increasingly difficult to beat.
As for France, the last side to win consecutive grand slams back in 1998, they showed enough encouraging signs in defeats by Australia and New Zealand in November to give their supporters hope.

This Six Nations will see bonus points trialled for the first time and the effect of World Rugby’s crackdown on high tackling is also set to be on show.
Yet what excites Jones most is the quality of the teams involved – a far cry from the gloom that enveloped the northern hemisphere game after a 2015 World Cup in England where no European side reached the semi-finals.
World Rugby tackling directive sparks uncertainty, but no negative impact for Hong Kong Premiership
“Look at the form of the contestants, it’s very positive, bubbling isn’t it?,” said Jones.
“Ireland turned world rugby upside down; they come in in good fettle, a well-coached confident group of players.

“Scotland have been promising to beat a big side for a long time, they should have beaten Australia in November; Italy under Conor O’Shea beat South Africa, a fantastic achievement. Brendan Venter is on board as the defence coach, the defence will improve measurably.
“Wales – Rob Howley has got a chance of being head coach so he’s going to take them forward. France should have beaten Australia; take the intercept out and they’d have beaten New Zealand.
“They’ve got a big physical pack, big back line, two Fijian wingers, big South African fullback – a big physical team that know how they want to play.”


Defiant Eddie Jones shrugs off shock England loss to Ireland and says All Blacks ‘are there for the taking’ by Lions

Emotional Vern Cotter given perfect send-off as Scotland beat Italy in Six Nations

Eddie Jones jokes that England will play New Zealand straight after Ireland as Six Nations champions prepare to surpass All Blacks

Eddie Jones warns England of Ireland backlash with Six Nations history on the line in Dublin

Six Nations Championship 2017

England the team to beat as British & Irish Lions loom over Six Nations

The head coaches of Italy, Ireland, Scotland, England, France and Wales pose with the Six Nations trophy. Photo: EPA

epa05749129 Rory Best (L), Captain of Ireland and Joe Schmidt, Head Coach of Ireland pose for photographers next to the Six Nations trophy during the 2017 RBS Six Nations rugby tournament launch at The Hurlingham Club in London, Britain 25 January 2017. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

epa05748932 Eddie Jones, Head Coach of England (R) and Dylan Hartley, Captain of England (L) pose for photographers next to the Six Nations Trophy during the 2017 RBS Six Nations rugby tournament launch at The Hurlingham Club in London, Britain, 25 January 2017. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

epa05749131 Greig Laidlaw (L), Captain of Scotland and Alun Wyn Jones, Captain of Wales pose for photographers next to the Six Nations trophy during the 2017 RBS Six Nations rugby tournament launch at The Hurlingham Club in London, Britain 25 January 2017. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

From left to right, Italy rugby team captain Sergio Parisse, Ireland captain Rory Best, Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw, England captain Dylan Hartley, France captain Guilhem Guirado and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones pose next to the Six Nations trophy during the 6 Nations media launch at The Hurlingham Club, London Wednesday Jan. 25, 2017. ( John Walton/PA Wire. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Dylan Hartley let himself, club and country down, says England coach Eddie Jones

Northampton’s Dylan Hartley is sent off for a high shot during the match against Leinster in early December. Photo: Reuters

Britain Rugby Union - England v Australia - 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 3/12/16 England head coach Eddie Jones during the warm up Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

England's centre Owen Farrell kicks a conversion during the international rugby union test match between England and Australia at Twickenham stadium in south-west London on December 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK

Eddie Jones confident Dylan Hartley will be fit for Six Nations opener against France

England captain Dylan Hartley is likely to be available for the start of the Six Nations. Photo: AP

Rugby Union - France v England - RBS Six Nations Championship 2016 - Stade de France, St Denis, France - 19/3/16 England's Joe Marler in action with France's Gael Fickou Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Eddie Jones sets England’s sights on World Cup glory after demolishing Australia

England centre Jonathan Joseph scores his second try against Australia at Twickenham. Photo: AFP

England's captain Dylan Hartley lifts the Cook Cup after their victory in the international rugby union test match between England and Australia at Twickenham stadium in south-west London on December 3, 2016. England won the game 37-21. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS

Britain Rugby Union - England v Australia - 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 3/12/16 Australia's Sekope Kepu tackles England's Jonny May Reuters / Stefan Wermuth Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Britain Rugby Union - England v Australia - 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 3/12/16 England's Marland Yarde scores their second try Reuters / Stefan Wermuth Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Sport

Rugby

Fifteens

Eddie Jones’ side begin the defence of their title against France next Saturday at Twickenham looking to extend their 14-match winning streak
