icon bookmark-bicon bookmarkicon cameraicon checkicon chevron downicon chevron lefticon chevron righticon chevron upicon closeicon v-compressicon downloadicon editicon v-expandicon fbicon fileicon filtericon flag ruicon full chevron downicon full chevron lefticon full chevron righticon full chevron upicon gpicon insicon mailicon moveicon-musicicon mutedicon nomutedicon okicon v-pauseicon v-playicon searchicon shareicon sign inicon sign upicon stepbackicon stepforicon swipe downicon tagicon tagsicon tgicon trashicon twicon vkicon yticon wticon fm
14 Mar, 2016 13:52

Rugby: England win Six Nations, now Jones wants Grand Slam

Rugby: England win Six Nations, now Jones wants Grand Slam

England secured their first Six Nations title since 2011 after arch-rivals Scotland defeated France to ensure Eddie Jones' team cannot be caught at the top of the table.

Saturday's 25-21 victory against Wales gave England their fourth win in a row to set up the possibility of a first Grand Slam (where one team in the competition beats all the other teams) since 2003.

Owen Farrell topped England's scoring with six penalties and one conversion.

Jones says his team are eagerly anticipating their trip to the Stade de France next Saturday. England have lost their last two matches in France, with their last success a 24-22 victory in March 2012.

"Obviously it's nice to win the championship, but as a team we feel we haven't achieved what we want to achieve yet – and that's the Grand Slam," he said.

"It's a fantastic achievement by the team. The squad is very much the same as the [squad for the 2015] World Cup, so it's transformed itself.

"Player of the tournament? Chris Robshaw, the work he's done on and off the field. He's been colossal for us.

"We have tried to get the players to be more responsible, get a style that suits the players we've got and ensure they enjoy it. We'll go to Paris confident."

Jones has triggered a massive turnaround in England's fortunes since taking over from Stuart Lancaster, following the team's disappointing performance at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

After a 15-9 win in Scotland in their opening Six Nations game, England brushed Italy aside 40-9 before producing a strong second half showing against Ireland to seal a 21-10 win.

Jones' controversial appointment of Dylan Hartley as captain has proved to be an inspired choice, with the hooker excelling in the role.

The 29-year-old has had a chequered career, serving bans totalling 54 weeks for offences which included gouging, biting and verbally abusing a referee – but his behaviour throughout the tournament has been impeccable.

World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward said: "There is no question that [Hartley] has been absolutely outstanding. Saturday was a tough game and he just played his game very well and he really fits with Eddie Jones."

Former France fly-half Thomas Castaignede thinks England can dominate the Six Nations for years to come.

"There are no other teams near England – if they keep the same group of players together, they can win the tournament for many years," he said.

"England have quality, are very well organised and Eddie Jones brings confidence. They deserve better than the title, they deserve the Grand Slam. I've been really impressed with England and the way they're playing."

Podcasts
0:00
28:20
0:00
27:33