Eddie Jones insists England are suffering from the drop in aggression that is evident across rugby and football due to the absence of spectators at grounds.
Owen Farrell’s side opened their Guinness Six Nations title defence with a dismal defeat to Scotland before returning to Twickenham a week later to comfortably dispatch Italy without hitting top gear.
Jones has promised England will improve again for their round-three appointment with Wales, but in the meantime he has been examining a study into Austrian Bundesliga team Red Bull Salzburg showing the impact of playing behind closed doors.
Jones has urged the wasps turnover specialist to look to World Cup winner Richard Hill for inspiration.
“There’s no reason why he can’t come back bigger and better than he is now. These sorts of significant injuries, particularly when you get two of them, are a real test of your resilience, your mental resilience,” Jones said.
“He’s got a great example on our staff in Richard Hill, who had to have multiple knee operations and kept coming back better.”
:: Eddie Jones is an Umbro ambassador. For more information visit: www.umbro.co.uk/rugby or follow @Umbro_Rugby on Instagram
