Jamie George insisted England wouldn’t be unsettled by any thoughts video games from Eddie Jones as they ready to face their former head coach for the primary time since he was sacked in 2022.
Jones’ seven-year Twickenham stewardship ended 18 months in the past due to an ongoing decline in outcomes and after a disastrous and short-lived stint with Australia, he was positioned again accountable for Japan.
In Tokyo on Saturday he’ll lock horns along with his former quantity two Steve Borthwick in an intriguing sub-plot to the opening project of England’s summer season tour, which additionally consists of two matches towards New Zealand.
Famed for his makes an attempt to needle the opposition whereas making a siege mentality round his crew, Jones is anticipated to focus on Borthwick’s males this week.
“I’m unsure that we are able to distract ourselves or be frightened about an excessive amount of of that sort of factor,” England captain George stated.
“It is a large sport for Eddie – his first sport with Japan and us going again there for the primary time for the reason that 2019 World Cup. There are some nice reminiscences and a few not-so nice reminiscences!
“However we’ve obtained an enormous quantity of respect for Eddie. He did nice issues for English rugby and he prepares his groups very, very effectively. He’ll have a extremely good plan by way of methods to break us down.
“When he speaks about Japanese rugby, he speaks so much about transferring the ball, enjoying a quick sport, excessive tempo – in order that’s presumably coming.
“However on the identical time, who is aware of with Eddie – he’s a little bit of a grasp of his craft, isn’t he?”
Your lineup for England vs Japan stay on Rugbypass TV 🔥
🎤 @davidflatman @elliekildunne @BenKay5 @topsy_ojo pic.twitter.com/L5G6PFn1wC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 14, 2024
England start Check week with an intriguing duel between Harlequins’ Marcus Smith and Fin Smith of Northampton brewing at fly-half.
George Ford’s absence from the tour due to a broken Achilles has created a emptiness within the quantity 10 jersey that shall be stuffed by both Quins’ electrical playmaker or the final of Saints’ march to the Gallagher Premiership title.
The rivals provide completely different talent units and George stated: “What a superb alternative for them to return in and actually run the assault and be massive leaders on this crew.
“They’ve been sensible – Marcus over quite a lot of years and Fin this season has been so spectacular with the maturity he has proven.
“George is sort of a coach in a participant’s physique, so we’re going to overlook a participant of his calibre. However we’ve obtained two superb gamers to step up and we are able to share the load.”