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Eddie Jones challenges Ireland to be dominant at Twickenham

Two days out from an England v Ireland test, and Eddie Jones is saying Eddie Jones things.  The ...



Two days out from an England v Ireland test, and Eddie Jones is saying Eddie Jones things. 

The England coach named his team on Thursday for the Autumn Nations Cup renewal of the age-old rivalry between the sides.

Jones has gone with experience, with Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler all returning to his starting XV.

The sharp-tongued Aussie was as economical with his words as ever when explaining his team selection, but admitted their had been an extra edge around the England camp with Ireland coming to town.

Jones was also keen to pick at a perceived air of self-satisfaction from Andy Farrell's camp after last week's 32-9 win over Wales.

Farrell hailed it as a "dominant performance" after the game, something not lost on his opposite number this weekend.

"Ireland are very happy with their dominant performance against Wales, and we know they're a very well-coached team, Jones said, "I know Andy Farrell very well.

"They'll be well-prepared, and they'll come to Twickenham with a point to prove which always makes them dangerous.

"It's the most important game of the year for us and I'm sure, for them, they're treating it exactly the same way.

"It's a huge step up from what we've encountered in the last couple of games."

When asked what kind of display he expected from Ireland on Saturday, Jones aimed another firm dig to the same spot on the arm, "As their coaching staff said, they were dominant. So the challenge is, can they bring a dominant Irish performance to Twickenham?"

To meet that challenge, Jones has reverted to the back-row that served him so well at last year's World Cup.

Underhill and Curry will pack down alongside Billy Vunipola.

"We feel that's our strongest back row for this game," Jones admitted.

"Playing against Ireland who are the strongest poaching team in the world - the no.1 poaching team in Europe - we need an aggressive, low-to-the-ground back row and Sam Underhill and Tom Curry [are] outstanding in that area."

George Ford returns from an Achilles injury, with his head coach feeling the Leicester out-half wasn't ready just yet for a starting berth.

However, he's sure to have an important role to play in the final quarter, "He's a very, very talented number-10. He's been a mainstay of our team.

"He's played 69 tests, I think, and for him to come on in the last part of the game and add his tactical nouse, his tactical kicking, his goal kicking if it's needed and his distribution skills is going to be very handy for us.

"We didn't feel he was quite ready to start, he's only done two sessions with us.

"So we felt he needs some more time, but certainly off the bench he'll be very handy for us."

The Tight Five | A scrum full of Porter, England setpiece attack, and outhalf options

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Autumn Nations Cup Eddie Jones England Ireland Jones Sam Underhill Tom Curry Twickenham