OMNISPORT 

Eddie Jones has labelled Scotland "the form side of Europe" and says they will be favourites to win their Six Nations opener against England at Murrayfield.

Jones starts his reign as England head coach with a Calcutta Cup clash against Vern Cotter's Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists on February 6.

While England became the first host nation to fail to progress from the pool stage of a World Cup last year, Scotland were on the verge of reaching the semi-finals until a controversial last-gasp penalty gave Australia a dramatic victory.

And Jones has claimed Scotland will be expected to make a winning start to the tournament.

"We've only had six training sessions together so there is an enormous pressure on Scotland to perform and not so much on us," the Australian said.

"The bookies might have us as favourites but Scotland have to be."

"Scotland are the form side of Europe. We know it'll be a tough game up there and I need a tough side.

"The reality is the start of this Six Nations is about contest and contest is about the set-piece.

"We've a lot of work to do in that area and I want to get back that fear factor of England in that set-piece."