War of words as England boss Eddie Jones labels fly-half Rhys Patchell as Wales' 'third-choice 10'
Wales have refused to be drawn into any verbal jousting after England boss Eddie Jones ramped up Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
Jones has highlighted what he sees as Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell's Test match inexperience, labelling him as Wales' "third-choice 10".
Patchell was influential in last weekend's 34-7 rout of Scotland in Cardiff, but injury-hit Wales were widely written off leading into that match and Jones insists England at Twickenham are a different proposition.
"Every time Rhys Patchell looks up, he's going to see Jonathan Joseph in his vision - it's not a great sight," Jones said.
"Wales have to get the ball wide and Patchell hasn't played much Test match rugby. He's a young guy, he's inexperienced and is their third-choice 10.
"He's got to get the ball wide and that's going to be a big job. It will be different to playing against Scotland.
"Scotland couldn't cope with the expectation and now he's got to cope with the expectation of playing well.
"Patchell will have to find guys around him to help because he'll be under some heat.
"Wales played really well against Scotland but it's going to be different on Saturday - they had no expectation on them last Saturday but this week they come full of expectation.
"Everyone has been telling them how well they played. (Wales coach) Warren Gatland's been talking a lot this week. He's confident. They're confident."
It is the first time Jones has sought to engage Wales in verbal hostilities ahead of the eagerly awaited showdown between rivals who completed convincing victories in round one.
