Edde Jones has told his England squad their seven-game winning streak against Australia counts for nothing this weekend and has warned them to get ready for a “brutal” battle at the breakdown.
England are getting ready to take on the Wallabies this Saturday at Twickenham after thumping Tonga 69-3 last weekend and they will be boosted by the return of captain Owen Farrell, who is available after his Covid-19 test last week was revealed to be a false positive.
Jones boasts an unbeaten record as England head coach against the country of his birth, winning all seven of the previous encounters between the two sides.
The 61-year-old, however, believes that record is irrelevant as the two sides prepare to go head to head this weekend.
“Well the one thing I know is that we don’t get a head start from being ahead 7-0 against them,” said Jones.
“They all start 0-0. They are a very well coached team by Dave Rennie, a few of their senior players like [Michael] Hooper are playing exceptionally well.
“Nic White is playing exceptionally well and they have got a lot of talented youngsters coming through.
“The team’s progressing under Dave Rennie. The breakdown against Australia is going to be brutal.
“Rennie’s teams are always renowned for being exceptional at the breakdown, so we are lucky we have got the best referee in the world next Saturday in Jaco Peyper - who is particularly very good in that breakdown area.”
