Let’s get real here – England ARE going to put Italy to the cleaners and they will have too much for Scotland. Both games are at Twickenham. Both could be bonus point wins.
The Grand Slam winners have 16 victories on the bounce and there is not a hope in hell of Italy preventing No.17 on February 26.
That leaves a Scotland side that returned to inconsistent form by missing out on a win against France despite leading 16-13 during the second half. Right now, all signs are pointing to a Grand Slam decider against Ireland, in Dublin, on March 18.
Ireland got their championship push back on track with a 63-10 romp over the hapless Italians but will need to beat France and Wales next to keep within reach of Eddie Jones’ men.
Following England’s 21-16 win over Wales, on Saturday, Jones told reporters that two of his main ball-carrying weapons were close to a return. The Vunipolas are coming back and judgement is coming. Jones said:
“Mako has a big chance [of facing Italy]. He will play for his club this week and if he gets through that game okay we will bring him into camp for the Italy week.”
He continued: “Billy might get back for Ireland – he’d be pretty useful off the bench, 150kg.”
Given that England’s struggles at present – if you can say that about a team on a 16-match winning streak – is their lack of punch through carries, and steaming over the gainline.
Jones is already looking beyond this championship and plotting for the 2019 World Cup by bringing in new faces and keeping current players on their toes.
“Our aim is to be the best team in the world,” he declared. “We are not happy being the best team in Europe, we want to be the best team in the world. Everything we do is geared towards bridging that gap between us and New Zealand.”
England could arrive in Dublin looking for a world record Test win No.19 but Ireland have shown [in Chicago and against England in 2011] that they can poop a party.
