Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Spink

Eddie Jones without key pair for Ireland clash and considering a call to Roy Keane

England will be without Manu Tuilagi and Luke Cowan-Dickie for their Six Nations title eliminator against Ireland.

Eddie Jones’ team spluttered to a 23-19 victory over Wales to remain third in the title race with two rounds to play.

But it came at a cost as Lions hooker Cowan-Dickie suffered knee damage and joins hamstring victim Tuilagi on the sidelines.

Jones said: “Luke is having a scan and I would think he’s highly unlikely to be available. Manu probably needs something in the vicinity of a 10-day rehab.”

England know they have their two toughest games still to play - Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday week and France in Paris seven days later.

Jones insists they remain in charge of their own destiny and joked that he would invite Roy Keane into camp for a “night of comedy” to get his players in the mood.

Marcus Smith was England's matchwinner against Wales (PA)

“We’re happy to play anyone,” said prop Ellis Genge. “Ireland have to beat us to put themselves in a position to win the tournament.

“They are a great outfit and peaking now in terms of their development. They’ve hit their stride at a really good time.

“France are on fire as well and we will have to be on our A Game - but that’s a challenge we’re looking forward to.

Michael Lowry scores in Ireland's easy win over Italy yesterday (Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

“Can we beat them? I ain’t gonna say no, am I! Can we still win the championship? We definitely can.”

England were outscored three tries to one by Wales and have now failed to hit their straps against the championship’s three weakest teams.

Midfield star Henry Slade admits they will need to raise their performance against Andy Farrell’s men in green.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Garry Ringrose celebrate with try scorer Michael Lowry in Dublin (Getty Images)

“Obviously it’s going to be a massive couple of Tests,” he said. “We are under no illusions. We know what is coming in the next couple of weeks. We’re going to have to get cracking.”

England head to Bristol this week for a training camp with Jones insisting: “We’re in charge of our own destiny.

“There are three teams that can win it now and we are one of them.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.