Eddie Jones hopes England will supply a record number of British & Irish Lions players when Warren Gatland’s squad fly out on tour to South Africa next year. Jones believes at least 20 could be selected if they perform to their potential this winter and says he wants England to be “by far the dominant force” on the 2021 expedition. Clive Woodward named 20 of his England team in the ill-fated 2005 squad in New Zealand while 18 English players were originally selected for both the 1997 and 2001 trips to South Africa and Australia respectively. Jones reckons Gatland would have little option but to pick accordingly if the current side win the delayed 2020 Six Nations and the 2021 edition, too. “I want to see a record, I want our side to be by far the dominant force in the Lions,” said Jones. “I am hoping for 20-plus [but] that will be a consequence of them playing well for England.” Asked if he felt it was feasible that such a high proportion of the tour party could be English, Jones replied “100%”. It remains to be seen how many top British and Irish players will be in any fit state to win a series for the Lions after a packed 2020-21 domestic season has finally been completed. Jones would not be drawn on his preferred structure for a global season but insists England will liaise with Premiership clubs to ensure players are given sufficient rest. “Circumstances dictate that it’s a difficult season [but] I think the planning between the clubs and us will result in our players being in as good a condition as they can be,” Jones said. “It’s always tricky but that’s the challenge we have in English rugby.” Jones, meanwhile, insists he will not be using the autumn Tests, assuming they take place, as an opportunity to experiment with 2023 World Cup planning in mind. “The last experiment I did was about 39 years ago in biology. I remember opening up a rat. Coaches don’t experiment. Test rugby is about doing your country proud and picking the best players.” The head coach, speaking on behalf of Umbro, the new technical kit partner to England Rugby, also revealed his squad are preparing to operate within “a severe biosphere” when they gather for international duty next month and that he had been seeking advice from senior figures in cricket and cycling. “We’ve had our staff in contact with England cricket and I’ve had conversations with the cycling team run by David Brailsford. I’ve also been lucky enough to have a chat with a few NFL sides, so we’ve been studying what is going on around the world. It is going to be different ... there will be challenges but also opportunities.” England may have to do without their new skills coach, Jason Ryles, in the build-up to their rescheduled Six Nations fixture against Italy in Rome on 31 October. The Australian is employed by Melbourne Storm, who are in contention to feature in the NRL final on 25 October. • Eddie Jones is an Umbro ambassador. Umbro will be launching its new England Rugby kit on 7 September. For more information visit: www.umbro.co.uk/rugby