AFP, Rome :
England coach Eddie Jones wants Ben Te’o to lead a “brutal and absolutely ruthless” effort when his side launch their Six Nations title defence against Italy in Rome on Sunday.
England may have won all 23 of their previous Tests against Italy but Jones has urged them to leave nothing to chance.
Te’o will be making his first England appearance in nearly a year after being selected at outside centre.
British and Irish Lions midfielder Te’o, a powerful ball-carrier, has displaced Jonathan Joseph, more of a traditional ‘running’ centre, after recovering from a severe ankle injury that ruled him out of England’s November series.
The match will be the first time Te’o has played since October, with the New Zealand-born rugby league convert partnering Owen Farrell in midfield.
“Ben will add a different dimension at 13 for us,” Jones told reporters after announcing his side on Friday. “We want him to hit the line hard, that’s what he’s good at. For a big man he’s got footwork. So hit the line hard.”
The former Australian and Japan coach, bidding for a 23rd win in 24 Tests as England boss, added: “That’s how we want to play against Italy-a really physical game and set the tone for the tournament.
“We want to be brutal and absolutely ruthless.”
Italy frustrated England with their ‘no-ruck’ ploy at Twickenham last year and Jones is backing Te’o to make a better job of dealing with any more tactical trickery from Azzurri coach Conor O’Shea.
“We played him against Italy last year and the fox got him. The fox got him big time. So he wants to go fox-hunting this week,” said Jones.
Dylan Hartley remains as England captain, with the hooker winning his 90th cap.
Despite injuries that have cost them several first-choice players, England will be huge favourites to start their bid for an unprecedented third successive outright Championship title with a victory.
England coach Eddie Jones wants Ben Te’o to lead a “brutal and absolutely ruthless” effort when his side launch their Six Nations title defence against Italy in Rome on Sunday.
England may have won all 23 of their previous Tests against Italy but Jones has urged them to leave nothing to chance.
Te’o will be making his first England appearance in nearly a year after being selected at outside centre.
British and Irish Lions midfielder Te’o, a powerful ball-carrier, has displaced Jonathan Joseph, more of a traditional ‘running’ centre, after recovering from a severe ankle injury that ruled him out of England’s November series.
The match will be the first time Te’o has played since October, with the New Zealand-born rugby league convert partnering Owen Farrell in midfield.
“Ben will add a different dimension at 13 for us,” Jones told reporters after announcing his side on Friday. “We want him to hit the line hard, that’s what he’s good at. For a big man he’s got footwork. So hit the line hard.”
The former Australian and Japan coach, bidding for a 23rd win in 24 Tests as England boss, added: “That’s how we want to play against Italy-a really physical game and set the tone for the tournament.
“We want to be brutal and absolutely ruthless.”
Italy frustrated England with their ‘no-ruck’ ploy at Twickenham last year and Jones is backing Te’o to make a better job of dealing with any more tactical trickery from Azzurri coach Conor O’Shea.
“We played him against Italy last year and the fox got him. The fox got him big time. So he wants to go fox-hunting this week,” said Jones.
Dylan Hartley remains as England captain, with the hooker winning his 90th cap.
Despite injuries that have cost them several first-choice players, England will be huge favourites to start their bid for an unprecedented third successive outright Championship title with a victory.
