IRELAND HEAD to Twickenham next week with a large expectancy to come away with yet another Six Nations victory.
Since Ireland’s opening win against France, England have been seen as possibly their main opposition on the hunt for another Grand Slam.
It would take a lot for the hosts to overcome Ireland and many have been suggesting different ways they can go about it.
Stephen Jones has offered up his opinion on how England can do it but couldn’t help himself from taking a dig at Ireland in the process.
Writing in his column for The Times, Jones admitted Ireland were the best team in the world but claimed that their ‘arrogance’ could be exploitable.
He wrote: “There will be no discussion about Ireland’s attitude. They will be merciless; they are a merciless team.
“All the rest of their game is subordinate to attacking the opposition up front, in the tackle and just behind the forward phases.
“For me and many others, they remain at their best — and they are the best team in the world…
“England cannot afford to subside lamely, or to give us a “we’ll-be-better-next-time” promise.
“The implications of a hammering would be horrendous. They should close their ears to the crowing Irish and to the flecks of arrogance now emerging around the team.”
Jones is well-known for having pops at Ireland and offering up some backhanded compliments.
On this occasion, he also threw some shade towards James Lowe as he referred to the top winger as an ‘ex-donkey’.
Jones added: “Manu Tuilagi is the one player with the requisite power to take England forward with a crunch and he is needed to compete against the rampaging Bundee Aki, the Kiwi-born centre now thundering along at a career high.
“They cannot allow Bundee to beast England.
“England also have to look after the extraordinary James Lowe, the ex-donkey turned world-class wing with so much all-round talent that he could be a circus act.”