Six Nations
Eddie Jones wants England to give Italy a 'good hiding'
Tom Hamilton
February 7, 2016
Highlights: Scotland 9-15 England

Eddie Jones has called on England to go to Rome and give Italy a "good hiding" on Sunday.

Jones' tenure got off to a winning start against Scotland on Saturday as England outscored the hosts two tries to nil at Murrayfield. It was a case of job done for England but Jones wants them to go up another gear in Rome.

Italy fell to an opening round defeat to France on Saturday and Jones has challenged his side to inflict more misery on them.

"We want to go out there and smack Italy next week," Jones said. "I said to the boys already that's our aim: to go out there and give them a good hiding. They're going to be tough because they should have won today, but that's our aim. They're ranked 12th in the world.

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"It'll just be different conditions in Italy. Glen Jackson's the referee and he favours attacking teams, favours teams that keep the ball so we'll be able to play a bit more. It should be a faster deck in Rome so if we get those conditions we want to be able to move the ball a bit more."

England will hope Billy Vunipola is in similar form to how he was at Murrayfield. He was the deserved Man of the Match and seems to be flourishing under Jones' tutelage with the England coach constantly delivering the message to Vunipola that he can be a great No.8.

"I tell him every day mate [that Vunipola can be the world's best No.8]," Jones said. "Every player needs to have a dream. As a coach, one of your jobs is to give them dreams. I don't want him t be the best No.8 in the Premiership, I want him to be the best No.8 in the world. And he can do that."

If, as expected, Vunipola retains his position for the trip to Rome he will come up against Sergio Parisse. The Italian great was fantastic in their defeat against France but his decision to go for a drop goal in the final play of the match raised eyebrows to say the least.

"If I had Parisse I'd let him do whatever he wanted," Jones added. "He's a super rugby player. If he was playing for the All Blacks people would rank him as one of the best players they'd ever seen. The things he can do, it's extraordinary. But I don't think Billy will be taking field goals. I'm sure about that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Tom Hamilton is the Associate Editor of ESPNscrum.

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