Eddie Jones wary of ‘old mate’ Michael Cheika

England coach Eddie Jones has labelled Wallabies coach Michael Cheika a ‘street fighter’ ahead of the sides’ meeting at Twickenham on Saturday.

Cheika’s side have lost four of their 12 Test matches this year but Jones believes Cheika and the Wallabies are at their most dangerous when their backs are against the wall.

“Cheiks, he’s my old mate, he’s always at his best when they (Australia) are under pressure,” Jones told Fox Sports Australia.

“He loves that, he’s a street-fighter, so it does make them dangerous but at the same time we’ve had a tough year too and we don’t mind a scrap either, so it should be a good scrap.”

Jones too understands what it is to be under pressure, with England having won just two of their seven Tests before somewhat salvaging their year by winning three of their last four.

Jones, Australia’s coach when they lost the 2003 World Cup final to England, has won all five of his Tests against his home nation since taking over the England reigns after the 2015 Rugby World Cup. But the 58-year-old is refusing to allow that fine recent record over the Wallabies to create any room for complacency.

“All I know is they had a good win (against Italy) and they’ll be ready for the battle.

“I think they understand where we’re strong and we understand where they’re strong.”

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Jones made 11 changes to his side for the 35-15 victory over Japan, a move that appeared to have backfired on the England mentor when his side went in to the break trailing at 15-10.

But Jones said a number of players who were new to international rugby had been tested and learnt a lot which was the purpose of the exercise.

“We picked an experimental team, purposefully, to be tested and we got tested,” he explained.

“Then we needed to respond and the response was absolutely fantastic.”

“The worst result for us would have been to go out there and win 70-0, because we’d have learnt nothing; absolutely nothing,” Jones insisted.

Owen Farrell came on in the second half and was instrumental in instigating the comeback, but Jones was not letting England’s over-reliance on Farrell worry him.

“Well, if I was Japan and I had Michael Leitch off the field, I’d be a bit worried too,” he said.

“If I was us with Owen Farrell off the field, I’d be a bit worried. If I was Ireland with (Jonathan) Sexton off the field, I’d be a bit worried.

“Do you want me to keep going? He’s an influential player. Of course he’s important to us.”