England vs Italy: Eddie Jones points to ‘filthy’ self-analysis after destructive Six Nations victory

England stormed to an eight-try 57-14 victory over Italy to leave themselves just one point behind Wales

Eddie Jones has said that he was left “filthy” in his self-analysis after letting his players down following the Six Nations defeat by Wales.

England got back to winning ways on Saturday with a destructive eight-try 57-14 victory over Italy that leaves them just one point behind Warren Gatland’s Six Nations table toppers.

Had it not been for the two late tries conceded in Cardiff, it could have been England going for the Grand Slam next weekend when they face Scotland in the championship finale, and not Wales, who safely negotiated the fourth hurdle of Gatland’s final Six Nations campaign with an 18-11 victory over the Scots at Murrayfield.

And after seeing Wales get the better of his side, Jones explained that he blamed himself for the loss that looks likely to cost England a third Six Nations title in his four years in charge unless Ireland can secure an upset victory at the Principality Stadium next Saturday.

“I don't think I coached the side very well against Wales and I take responsibility for that,” Jones said.

“Did I doubt myself? Probably not. I was filthy about the way I coached. I didn't coach well.

“I let the players down. It was good to see we got together, worked hard and got ourselves right for this game.”

England can still end the campaign with four wins from five if they can regain the Calcutta Cup, following last season’s harrowing defeat at Murrayfield that triggered their five-loss slump through the first half of 2018. That match was also made famous for the way the Scottish got under the skin of Jones and his squad, particularly in the build-up as former international Gavin Hastings claimed he would love to “to rub Eddie Jones’s face in the dirt”.

That pre-match hostility spread to the players, with Owen Farrell and Ryan Wilson involved in a tunnel skirmish before the match, and the day after England’s defeat Jones was both verbally and physically assaulted while travelling by train back to London.

For Jones, those memories very much remain.

England retained slim hopes of a Six Nations title with the dominant win (Getty)

“We'll rip into training and be at our absolute best next week, because we're going to have to be to beat Scotland,” Jones added.

“We know that's their game of the year. We saw how they carried on last year after they beat us. So, we might have short memories sometimes, but sometimes you have longer memories.”

Jones would not elaborate, but added: “I just remember everything that was being said. That's all I have to say. I don't have to recite what's been said.”

Turning his attention back to the eight-try victory, Jones was pleased with how man-of-the-match Joe Cokanasiga performed in what was his first Six Nations start, but keen to keep him grounded by claiming that while the Fiji-style one-handed passes is great for the fans, it’s not good for his own well-being.

“He did some good things. The one-handed stuff's great for you guys, but possibly he could carry with two hands at other times.

“But he's a young kid with great potential.”

Jones also paid tribute to Manu Tuilagi, who delivered his most impressive performance yet since returning to international rugby after four years of injury problems with two tries either side of half-time.

Manu Tuilagi scored twice in a standout performance (Reuters)

Tuilagi, who also set up Brad Shields for England’s fourth try that secured the bonus point inside 32 minutes, is currently considering a lucrative offer from French club Racing 92 from next year that would rule him ineligible for England, but Jones is just happy that the Leicester Tigers centre will not be going anywhere between now and the Rugby World Cup.

“We've taken his passport,” he joked. “So he's not going to France in the next week. I've got it in my pocket.”

Despite being on the end of a thumping defeat that stands as the fifth biggest loss Italy have experienced against England, head coach Conor O’Shea insisted his side were on the end of a harsh scoreline that did not reflect their performance.

“Sometimes you can over analyse things. We were overpowered. And they're an unbelievably powerful side,” O’Shea said after Italy’s record-extending 21st consecutive Six Nations defeat.

“They (England) were a hurting side. But they're the best side in the Six Nations, in my opinion.

“With the ball we caused problems and showed some really good moments in the match and we could've had more out of the match, instead of the couple of tries we got.”