Jones urges England to grab chance in South Africa

England head coach Eddie Jones challenged his team to prove their doubters wrong and make history in South Africa.

Coming off a disappointing Six Nations campaign in which they finished fifth, England face the Springboks in a three-Test series next month.

Despite having an understrength squad, Jones believes it is a chance for his team to step up and lead England to a first ever series win in South Africa.

“The bare minimum is to play well. I want to win 3-0. No English side has ever won a series in South Africa so it’s a great opportunity for us,” he told Sky Sports News.

“We’re missing 22 top players so everyone’s saying we can’t win, we’re in disarray, we’re a shambles. That suits the English underdog mentality.

“We’re going to go over there and rip in.”

Update from camp 

Eddie gives you the latest on injuries, training, and speculation around coach Paul Gustard: https://t.co/XF680feT4L pic.twitter.com/1XXNv5G6wT

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 17, 2018

England ended their Six Nations with losses to Scotland, France and Ireland in a worrying finish the year before a Rugby World Cup.

But Jones insisted his team knew exactly what was required ahead of the tournament in Japan, where they will seek to win the World Cup for the first time since 2003.

“We’re in a great position because we’ve got absolute clarity about what we have got to do to win the World Cup,” he said.

“We got great feedback from Scotland, Ireland and France that we’re not good enough. We’ve gone away, licked our wounds and worked out a strategy going forward.

“The players are becoming more embroiled in that strategy as we have more time with them. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to win the World Cup.”

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