Eddie Jones has called on World Rugby and the game's leading nations including England to pledge their financial and coaching support to Italy in the face of mounting calls for promotion and relegation to be introduced to the Six Nations. Italy face England on Sunday amid fears that Conor O'Shea's side could face a record Six Nations' defeat at Twickenham, having conceded 96 points in two home defeats against Wales and Ireland. The Azzurri have never beaten England since joining the Six Nations in 2000 and have lost their last nine championship games. Their run of woeful displays have led to calls for the Six Nations board to consider implementing promotion and relegation to the championship for the first time, given that Georgia, the reigning Rugby Europe champions, are now two places higher (12th) in the World Rugby rankings. The Six Nations board however have indicated that there is little appetite for change to the status quo, insisting that it is World Rugby's responsibility to grow the game in Europe outside of the six unions who compete in the championship. Jones, who has experience of coaching a ‘tier two' country during his three years in charge of Japan, refused to be drawn on whether the Six Nations should consider opening up the tournament to the next best side in Europe. But the England head coach believes that support from the world's leading nations for the development of Italy, who joined the old Five Nations tournament in 2000, is critical. "The only thing I would say about that is Italy need to be supported," Jones said. "If their rugby is not developing as people want then they should be supported by World Rugby and the rest of the tier one countries because they are an important country. "It is never just financial – to make a good sporting team you need financial power, you need intellect and you need the desire so you have got to find ways to help them. "To me (relegation) is not something I want to delve into – it doesn't have anything to do with us beating them on Sunday. All I think is they should be given support." Owen Farrell will win his 50th cap for England on Sunday and Jones said the Saracens back, a vice-captain for the game, had the potential to be a future captain of his side. "I don't think he needs to worry about that, or I need to worry about that at the moment. He's moving in the right direction," Jones added. "I look at him now and he's developing. He's faster now than he was in November, he's got better footwork than he had, and his catching and passing is more consistent. Being a great player is about being consistent, and that's what we'll see from him going forward. "I don't think he should be compared to other players. He is Owen Farrell and he is a different player. His first 50 Tests I think he will be disappointed that his winning record is less than Jonny Wilkinson. I am going to guarantee that in his next 50 his winning record will be better than Jonny Wilkinson. "I don't think he's as good a player as he can be yet, and that's the great thing because his next 50 caps will be better than his first 50 - much better." Jones confirmed that Dylan Hartley, who has retained his place ahead of in-form hooker Jamie George, would remain captain for the remainder of England's Six Nations campaign. "All things being even, (there is) no reason why he won't," Jones added.
