Six Nations: Victorious Eddie Jones fully aware of Ireland's threat

It seems unlikely given he was speaking after his side’s 61-21 success over Scotland, a record-equalling 18th consecutive Test win that saw them win the Six Nations again, but his famous mind-games are clearly underway already. The emphatic victory also equalled the Red Rose’s record winning margin against Scotland and was the highest points haul ever against their neighbours.

Ireland’s hopes, meanwhile, were ended after Friday’s 22-9 loss in Cardiff but Jones insisted: “Ireland, psychologically, are in a very strong position.

“They’re beaten, out of the tournament and love spoiling parties. The party they’d love to spoil the most is England’s party.

“They’ve got an enormous amount of psychological advantage. We’re vulnerable, because we’ve won, we’re champions of the Six Nations.

“We’re going to have to work really hard to get ourselves right for the game. And we will.”

Scotland, who were looking to win the triple crown and challenge for the title, were wretched.

Coach Vern Cotter admitted: “Everyone is disappointed. We understand that people believed we would come closer than that.

“When you compete and get beaten you don’t like it. There are ways to lose and we are not happy with what happened here.”

Alarmingly, they conceded three first-half tries through a similar England backline move that cut open their midfield in the first phase each time.

“We will be having a good look at that on Monday,” added Cotter.

“Once they had gone through we didn’t do what we needed to do. I can’t say more than that.

“Italy will look at it too and will try to do the same thing to us next week.”