With a defeat on the clock, English and Irish face off this Saturday at Twickenham with the hope of winning this edition of the Tournament.
The XV de la Rose, although beaten on entering Scotland, still has in mind to win the Tournament. Before facing Ireland this Saturday (5:45 p.m.) at Twickenham, Eddie Jones does not hide it. “We approach this match as a semi-final. The team that wins will be able to play a final next week for its last match“Launched the England coach. First have the XV of Clover, then bring down the Blues, next week, at the Stade de France. No small feat.
Place first to the Irish, who find their master to play Jonathan Sexton, recovered from a hamstring injury. This week, the Leinster opener (36) extended his contract with his federation by one year to be able to play in the 2023 World Cup in France. His return will be closely scrutinized. “Ireland are the tightest team in the world at the moment, and it will be a good test for us this weekend. We prepared really well for this match.“Warns Eddie Jones who, for once, has fun putting pressure on his opponent.
I also know that Eddie Jones has said many times in the past that praise can make you weak.
Andy Farrell
“What I know is that they are the big favourites, said the Australian technician. I went to the cafe and the girl said to me: “This Irish team must be good, all their ex-players think they are going to win the game and all the ex-England players think they are going to win the game. They must have a good team. How do you feel?” I just replied: “Just give me a coffee, please.”
“Bar Brawl”
A little game of fools in which Andy Farrell, his Irish counterpart, does not want to fall. “That he says it doesn’t bother me at all, did he declare. I don’t see what it can do for or against you, we just have to prepare ourselves properly.“And to add:”But I also know that Eddie has said many times in the past that praise can make you weak.»
During the week, the tone had risen after the declarations of Eddie O’Sullivan, the former Irish coach, who had dropped that England will want to make Saturday’s match a “bar fight“, Due to “his bad situationin the Tournament. A statement that amused the pillar of the Rose, Joe Marler, always there for a good word. “I’m trying to remember the last bar fight I got into. Will it be like this? It’s possible. I like that. A nice clean bar fight, no dirty stuff. No forks (fingers in the eye, Editor’s note) or jets of glass. Just clean stuff.»
Eddie Jones under surveillance
Either way, Eddie Jones knows he’s playing big this Saturday. A second defeat would stain given the ambitions of the English Federation. The fifth place in the Tournament last year placed the Australian technician under very close surveillance. Another failed campaign and the Australian would be in the hot seat 18 months from the 2023 World Cup in France. For this shock, the Rose coach decided to establish Sam Simmonds as number 8, in place of Alex Dombrandt. Flanker Tom Curry will also return as starter.
Opposite, Ireland will line up a deeply reworked three-quarter line after the victory against Italy. Only winger James Lowe, center Garry Ringrose and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park retained their spots. And Andy Farrell has decided to do without winger Mack Hansen, who has been particularly prominent since the start of the Tournament. A choice criticized by many supporters. But Farrell justifies his choices: “Making a team is always difficult, whatever the game. We have a very good team and we have always said that it would be the collective effort and cohesion that would be essential to be in a good position. There were some tough decisions to make this week, but we think the balance of the team is good. The last Irish victory at Twickenham dates back to 2018, the year of the last Grand Slam for Jonathan Sexton and his teammates.
