George Ford in at fly-half for Saturday’s matchEngland captain Owen Farrell joins Henry Slade in the centresEddie Jones is never shy of mixing his sporting metaphors and the
England team to face Wales has sent him into overdrive. One minute the coach was talking about V8 engines revving down the highway, the next about winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup and midfield players wearing black ties. At this rate he will be a shoo-in to host the 2021 sports personality of the year awards.
There is certainly plenty of power, finishing ability and potential swagger in his 23-man squad for Saturday’s game at Parc y Scarlets, perhaps the strongest Jones has named since last year’s
World Cup. From the unchanged pack who shut down
Ireland so successfully to the return of the fit-again George Ford and a beefed-up bench containing six forwards and two backs, there are amber warning signs for Wales everywhere.