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 in control of Japan.
In Tokyo on Saturday he’ll lock horns together with his former quantity two Steve Borthwick in an intriguing sub-plot to the opening task of England’s summer season tour, which additionally contains two matches in opposition to New Zealand.
Famed for his makes an attempt to needle the opposition whereas making a siege mentality round his staff, Jones is predicted to focus on Borthwick’s males this week.
“I’m undecided that we are able to distract ourselves or be apprehensive about an excessive amount of of that sort of factor,” England captain George mentioned.
“It is a big recreation for Eddie – his first recreation with Japan and us going again there for the primary time because the 2019 World Cup. There are some nice reminiscences and a few not-so nice reminiscences!
“However we’ve acquired an enormous quantity of respect for Eddie. He did nice issues for English rugby and he prepares his groups very, very nicely. He’ll have a very good plan when it comes to methods to break us down.
“When he speaks about Japanese rugby, he speaks rather a lot about shifting the ball, taking part in a quick recreation, 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?”
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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 can be crammed by both Quins’ electrical playmaker or the final of Saints’ march to the Gallagher Premiership title.
The rivals provide totally different ability units and George mentioned: “What a superb alternative for them to return in and actually run the assault and be large leaders on this staff.
“They’ve been sensible – Marcus over 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 acquired two superb gamers to step up and we are able to share the load.”
