ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones was in a jovial mood as he considered Scotland\u2019s woeful record at Twickenham ahead of this afternoon\u2019s Six Nations finale.<\/p>\n
Scotland hold the Calcutta Cup after a 25-13 win over England at Murrayfield last season, but have not beaten their southern neighbours at Twickenham since 1983. A continuation of that streak this weekend could see England take the Six Nations if Wales fail to complete a Grand Slam against Ireland in Cardiff earlier on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Jones, asked why he thought Scotland had endured a win-less run since \u201983, jokingly replied \u201c1883?\u201d even though Twickenham has \u2018only\u2019 been staging rugby matches since 1909.<\/p>\n
On a slightly more serious note, Jones pointedly noted that large home crowds had the ability to sway match officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s because the referee gets influenced,\u201d Jones said ahead of a match that will be controlled by New Zealand\u2019s Paul Williams. \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe referee\u2019s such a crucial component of the game of rugby,\u201d the Australian added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a great game based on contest and whenever you\u2019ve got contest you\u2019ve got the referee involved. They\u2019re human beings and they get influenced by the environment. That\u2019s certainly a factor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support of your fans is also definitely a massive factor,\u201d added Jones, who saw England\u2019s bid for a Grand Slam this season end with a 21-13 loss away to Wales.<\/p>\n
It has often been suggested that rugby union\u2019s oldest international fixture, first played in 1871, means more to Scotland than England but Jones was adamant there would be plenty of emotion fuelling his players on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not playing Mars or Pluto, we\u2019re playing Scotland. They\u2019ve got passion and play the game a certain way.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got passion about playing for England. It\u2019ll be about which side comes out with most intensity and desire and that\u2019ll be us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Ryan Bailey on The42 Rugby Weekly as Ireland bid to spoil Wales\u2019 Grand Slam party in Cardiff, and the U20s target their own piece of history.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Source: The42 Rugby Weekly\/SoundCloud<\/p>\n