Eddie Jones wants England to be aggressive

Eddie Jones has lamented England's soft nature as the reason behind their inability to win major tournaments since 2003.

After the 2003 World Cup victory in Australia, England managed to win a solitary Six Nations cup in 2011 in the next 12 years.

Under Jones' tenure, England went on to win the 2016 Six Nations Championship and also clinched the Grand Slam for the second time in 13 years.

Jones also believes the commercial interest of the players had an impact as well, which promoted them to retire prematurely.

Recollecting the England tour of Australasia in 2004 where the 56-year-old was the head coach of the Australian team, Jones said the red rose team went on a decline since then after losing the first two games to All Blacks with a margin of 36-3 and 36-12 and followed with a massive 51-15 defeat to the Wallabies.

When asked if the team had become soft since 2003, Jones said: "Without a doubt. I came up against them as Wallabies coach in 2004 and they came out for a holiday. We put 50 points on them in Brisbane.

"You cannot accept that - as soon as it was accepted, it was the end of that team and era. In reality, England rugby has never recovered since.

"Commercial activity took over for England's players after that World Cup success. And significant senior players retired at the same time.

"I don't mind players having agents and agents doing good things for them. If you play the game well, and that means training well, you should get financial rewards

"It's when they start taking short cuts, going to a function instead of having proper recovery, that I have a problem.

"Every time you play a Test match and wear the rose, it is important that you give it everything you've got. If you are too tired to go on tour, don't go on tour.

"I've said to the players, 'if you do not want to come on tour and work hard, stay at home. Go to Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, wherever you want and have a great time'. Maybe not Egypt. It is a choice you make."

Citing the example of Marland Yarde, Jones believes players were handed international caps easily and the tour down under will be a big test for the England squad to prove themselves.

“There is no doubt that players have had it too easy and been handed caps.

“Marland Yarde is a great example. He went on the Argentina tour [2013] and scored a couple of tries, went to New Zealand [2014] and ran over the top of Richie McCaw and then you did not see him for two years.

“What was he doing? He was not working hard enough at his game and now he is. He has been rewarded with an opportunity against Wales.

"We are taking baby steps at the moment, but significant ones," said Jones, whose side face Wales at Twickenham on Sunday.

"The tour will be hard - we've got three difficult Tests there and we know that Australia have picked a strong squad.

"It will be all hands to the deck and we will separate the men from the boys. It's not about players having a nasty edge, but being desperate to play for England. That's what I want.

"Owen Farrell would be top of the tree and he is from Wigan. It's all about how desperate you are and George Ford is the same.

"They are kids who desperately want to play for England and get better. They are the players we want.

"There is no doubt that players have had it too easy and been handed caps."