EDDIE JONES will tell his England players they are ALL leaders in today’s Six Nations opener against Italy.
The Red Rose boss is still haunted by last season’s clash when the Italians’ no-ruck tactics embarrassed his troops.
Dylan Hartley remains as skipper but Jones wants to avoid any repeat by having a team of 15 captains and lieutenants — as Sir Clive Woodward did in his 2003 World Cup-winning side.
Jones said: “In 2003, they had great leadership within their team.
“That’s what we’re striving to develop — a great leadership group of eight or nine players, surrounded by three or four lieutenants who run the team.
“When situations are put in front of them, they work it out and get on with it quickly.”
Jones re-watched the video nasty of last year’s Twickenham game, when flanker James Haskell resorted to asking ref Romain Poite to explain the rules.
England eventually won 36-15 with three late tries and Jones defended his players for asking about the rules.
SIX NATIONS CLASH Italy vs England – Six Nations 2018: What time, live stream, TV channel and team news for clash
The Aussie added: “We got criticised and I’m still trying to work out why. I thought we were brilliant.
“There wasn’t a lot of confusion. If a player asks the referee a question and the referee doesn’t answer politely, the confusion is with the referee, not the player.”
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In the build-up to today’s clash against the Six Nations minnows, Jones insisted England will be “brutal”.
But Italy captain Sergio Parisse, 34, who wins his 130th cap today hit back: “It’s going to be a big battle for them as well.
“They won the Six Nations last year so they have all the pressure on them.”
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