Eddie Jones brushes off Michael Cheika's ‘bully’ taunt ahead of Australia Test

Eddie Jones has dismissed claims England will “bully” Australia’s key players.

Jones refused to get involved in a slanging match with Wallaby coach Michael Cheika, who believes England will target his half-backs with roughhouse tactics.

Jones normally enjoys winding up the opposition but held back from firing a broadside at Cheika.

“I don’t have a response, we play the game legally,” he said. “We want to physically dominate Australia, who are playing a physical juggernaut sort of game.

“They’re probably the most physical side in the world and we want to show we can dominate them up front.”

Cheika’s team defeated New Zealand before embarking on their European tour and the coach is using that result to taunt England.

He said: “England are not No 1 in the world as they have not played the other mob and that is the only way to catch them, unless they lose.

“We are lucky because we get to play against the current No 1 three times a year. We are still growing and learning how to be tougher.”

England do not play New Zealand until next November.