Eddie Jones insists 'cohesive' Ireland are favourites for Six Nations clash at Twickenham

England head coach Eddie Jones has branded Ireland "the most cohesive team in the world" ahead of the two sides' Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

Jones, whose side sit third in the championship standings after wins over Italy and Wales, added that Ireland are favourites this weekend despite only having won once in south-west London in the last 10 years.

"Ireland are favourites and have been in very good form," Jones, 62, said. "A good team that is well coached by Andy Farrell. And apart from [Andrew] Porter they have everyone ready to go.

"They are literally the most cohesive side in the world. The bulk of their team train together for the bulk of the year. So they're very well coordinated in their attack, very well structured, very sequenced in set-plays, and they're tough around the breakdown. They'll be a great challenge for us but we're not intimidated by any team.

"They move the ball at pace and that's the secret to any attack - to move the ball at pace with accuracy."

England's preparations for the match have been hampered by Sunday's news that Alex Dombrandt, who started against Wales at No 8, will be ruled out of training until later this week due a positive Covid test. Jones was unable to confirm what that would mean for the Harlequin's involvement against Ireland.

"The dogs are barking but the caravan moves on mate," Jones said. "He'll [have] a chance. We just have to wait and see how he recovers from Covid. He'll have to do all the cardiac tests and then we'll see on Thursday whether he can train and participate at the necessary level. If he does that then he has a chance of playing against Ireland."

There was more optimism around Sam Underhill's recall, however. The Bath flanker has won just three