England head coach Eddie Jones predicts tough 2018 Six Nations
Monday 27 November 2017 09:08, UK
Eddie Jones is predicting his toughest Six Nations tournament yet as he looks to make it three in a row but the England head coach stopped short of claiming the gap with the southern hemisphere has narrowed.
England defeated Argentina, Australia and Samoa during their autumn series at Twickenham as Jones - named World Rugby Coach of the Year on Sunday night - extended his impressive record to 22 wins from 23 Tests at the halfway stage of his four-year reign.
The Tasmanian has led his side to successive Six Nations titles but with Ireland easing past South Africa on November 11 and Scotland thumping Australia on Saturday, he knows England will face a tough battle if they are to win the Six Nations for a third consecutive year.
"The British and Irish Lions series against New Zealand showed what the standard will be," Jones said.
"I would anticipate that this Six Nations is going to be harder than any of the Six Nations we've played in previously.
"But I wouldn't get too excited that the north-south hemisphere gap has gone. You're playing against teams that have played 14 Tests - the All Blacks have played 14 Tests already this year.
"You've got to look at where they are, but definitely the European sides are moving in a positive direction."
Jones decided not to select a player of the series but Elliot Daly was specifically mentioned after running in two eye-catching tries in Saturday's 48-14 victory over Samoa, including one outstanding solo effort.
The Wasps midfielder has been converted to a predatory wing under Jones, with Daly crossing for six tries from 16 games.
"Elliot's had a really good series. He's probably, of all the Lions guys, come back the best, got more spring in his step," added Jones.
"I always thought he was a natural winger when I watched him play. Left foot. Speed. Ability to come in off his wing. Exactly all the things I thought he could do he can do at Test level.
"You never think about the limit for the player. You always think they can get better. There's no reason why he can't get better now. He can be a better player next year than he is this year.
"He can get quicker, he can get stronger, he can get better conditioned than he is, and he will. First he's got to get in our side, then he can get into a world XV."
Jones also gave an injury update on Manu Tuilagi, with the centre scheduled to make his comeback from knee ligament damage in December.
"All I can remember is Manu playing at his best against New Zealand. If he is capable of doing that consistently then there's a chance of being in our squad," Jones said.
"We're going to find out his desire to work hard. As you get older it gets harder to come back from those injuries so we'll see. Time will be the teacher."
