England coach Eddie Jones is up to his old tricks again, labelling Scotland as “red hot” favourites for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash in Edinburgh.
The Australian master of the mind games has also compared England’s new captain Tom Curry with former New Zealand skipper and one of the game’s greats Richie McCaw.
“It’s the first time I’ve had the experience of going up there when Scotland have been red hot favourites,” Jones said on Thursday, looking to ramp up the pressure on the Scots.
“They’re expected to win. Every time their players look at the crowd at Murrayfield they’ll feel that expectation – they’re expected to win. They are red hot favourites and they’ve got to cope with that.
“There’ll be 67,000 fans and they’ll be thinking about all the fans watching the game on the BBC.
“They have to carry that burden. Every game for us is the same. We’re expected to win, so it’s no different for us.”
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The 23-year-old Curry was named his country’s youngest skipper in more than 30 years since Will Carling as he replaces injured Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes for England’s opening game of the Six Nations at Murrayfield.
“Captaincy is not about the number of caps. It is about the person who can lead a group of players out on the field and lead by example, and there is no better player in our squad to do that than Tom Curry,” said Jones.
“He reminds me of a young Richie McCaw, who could lead by example, and as his career progresses there will be other bits and pieces of his captaincy that go with that.”
McCaw captained the All Blacks in 110 out of his 148 Tests and won two Rugby World Cups.
“He (Curry) is a player who players like to play with, similar to Owen,” added the England coach, who continued his habit of putting opponents on a pedestal as part of the pre-match posturing.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Neil. Favourite or underdog, it doesn’t matter, does it? As long as you know you have prepared properly, are willing to do what it takes and have faith in your team, then you will sit in the sheds and believe you will win. That’s the responsibility of the coach to get you there. I don’t believe a disciplined player (either side) is going to listen to any of these coaching machinations in the media. But it makes good promotion.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Tbh Harry, if there's a player in either dressing room who doesn't think their team is favourite to win, they probably shouldn't be there.
Ace
Guest
Awww you poor dear 2019 RWC semi final still make you cwy?..lol boo hoo :laughing: aigs are useless bro.
Harry Jones
Expert
This match is gonna be old school rugby. Gainline, breakdown, set piece, and who can kick/handle kick best. Doubt the coach’s mind games will matter when it’s 8-8 at 55:00 and a Hogg or Ford spiral is in the air and the muddy catcher is trying to catch it as the chaser is closing.
biltong
Guest
No, I don't believe they work, not in a significant way.
Harry Jones
Expert
Do these mind tricks really ever work? Seems a bit too obvious.
biltong
Guest
Yep, the game needs characters, perhaps a little less controversial at times though.
Gunni007
Guest
You still in 2019 eddie beat the boks in 2021 with a bunch of youngsters against a laden with world cup winners. Must get with the times mate.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Without Jones and Rassie, the game would be boring. Wether you like them or not they do keep us intrigued, and provide plenty to talk about.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
You must be the super spud.
Obes
Guest
Wont happen as Hooper has lost 8 on the trot to England.They completely dominate him every game.
Obes
Guest
Tom Curry is a Superstar. Wallies have a Superdud Hooper.
Malo
Guest
Eddies mind tricks crumbled against Sa in the World Cup final , when he thought because he beat the ABs he had the cup in the bag. Rassie Rrasmus destroyed him tactically.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Don't care, as long as we stick it up him and them this year.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Good on ya Eddie, he likes his mind games and that's part of his routine. Just finshed reading Steve Hansen's book and he talks of how good Eddie is at it, and how it was really enjoyable coaching against others that did it.