Eddie Jones: England will be ready for 'semi-final' against Ireland

Eddie Jones has elevated Ireland to the status of red-hot favourites for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash after claiming that even baristas are trolling his England team.

Jones has circled the wagons amid the widespread expectation - including among bookmakers - that England will be eliminated from the title race in Saturday's penultimate round at Twickenham.

It comes as retired Ireland back rows Jamie Heaslip and Stephen Ferris, as well as their former head coach Eddie O'Sullivan, questioned the current health of the side under Jones.

England's head coach began the week by positioning Andy Farrell's men as favourites and insists they were even talked up when he was ambushed in a cafe.

When asked about the XV picked by Farrell, Jones replied: "We're more concerned about ourselves. What I do know is they're red hot favourites.

"I went to the coffee shop yesterday (Wednesday) and the girl says 'that Irish team must be good, all their ex players think they're going to win the game and all the ex-England players think they're going to win the game. They must be a pretty good team. How you feeling?'

"I said 'just give me the coffee please'."

"It's a semi-final. One of the two teams progresses to the final, which is the last game. Both teams know what's at stake. But if you read the papers, there is only one team that has a chance of winning it.

"When you're playing against a team that has to basically jump out of the barrier and win, then you've got to make sure your horse is ready to go. All I've been doing is trying to get my horse ready to go."

Sexton among six changes for Ireland v England

Jones believes that Ireland benefit from operating within the game's most joined up club and country system, as well as the presence of a