Eddie Jones fires up France with fighting talk ahead of 'battle for supremacy'

Eddie Jones declared rugby war on France as the Six Nations Championship braced itself for an explosive start.

England’s head coach sparked a fiery response with his promise to bring “brutal physicality” to tomorrow’s showdown.

And no sooner had opposite number Fabien Galthie risen to the bait than Jones went on the attack again.

“England against France is nicknamed Le Crunch and there’s a reason for that – it’s a great and historical rivalry, a battle for supremacy,” he said.

“It’s a brutal physically aggressive game and we intend to play tough. French teams never have been (shy) and never will be. We’re looking forward to it, I’m sure France are as well.”

Jones’ remarks come after World Cup winner Martin Johnson likened the Six Nations to a “backyard brawl” and said: “Some days you’ve got to roll up your sleeves, subdue a team and strangle them, if that’s what needs doing – club them to death before they club you!”

France were unimpressed with Jones’ onslaught, with Galthie vowing to meet fire with fire.

“Expect a ferocious pack, expect a ferocious battle to win the ball,” he warned. “Expect my players to push their limits as far as possible, for them to give everything, for phases of fierce fighting, for ferocious tackles and collisions, for a team who will never surrender.”

Team manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez added: “We’ve been around for 30 years and we’ve always been hearing those kind of declarations.

“This concept of physical violence is interesting. But it’s easy to talk about physical violence when you’re watching from the stands.”

Jones was challenged by reporters on his use of the word “brutal”, which when translated into French has explicit connotations of violence.

The Australian conceded: “That wasn’t the intention but someone asked me how we were going to play? What do you want me to say, we’re going to have a cup of tea?

“The game is violent isn’t it. I apologise if it’s been interpreted in the wrong way but we saw in the World Cup final how important aggression is. It’s going to be the same on Sunday.

“Rugby is a physical, confrontational game and your aim is to be brutal on the gainline. You either win or lose on the gainline.”