Eddie Jones’ England machine are good enough to achieve greatness and win the World Cup in 2019, according to former prop Phil Vickery.

Jones’ side have tasted defeat just once in 25 games since the Australian took the reins in November 2015 and are currently ranked second in the world, behind only New Zealand.

The 58-year-old – chasing a third straight NatWest 6 Nations Grand Slam with his charges – has moulded a fiercely efficient unit that boasts world-class talent throughout the squad.

Vickery was part of Clive Woodward’s all-conquering side of 2003, which brought home the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time in the nation’s history after downing the Wallabies in their own back yard.

Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp drop goal sealed a dramatic 20-17 success on that November night in Sydney and Vickery believes Jones’ current crop have the talent, drive and skill to seize the cup once more in Japan, next year.

“I get frustrated - I don’t want my England team to be the only one to go and win a World Cup and win the Grand Slam,” said Vickery, who was speaking at Alnwick this week with Mitsubishi Motors as part of its Kits 4 Clubs initiative.

“I believe this England team has as much, if not more, talent and ability than the team I was involved in. Taking nothing away from my team, but are these guys better? They’ve got the talent and the ability.

“Can they go on and achieve greatness? They've already achieved phenomenal things.

“The team is growing, the squad’s becoming better all the time, it’s becoming more experienced all the time - the players are more into it.

“Do I believe they can go on and achieve greatness? Yes, I bloody well do. Will I be cheering for them? Yes I will.

“Sometimes you need to remember that, with all the negativity around, there’s a nation willing them on and I would never fail to be inspired by that.”

The initiative will allow rugby clubs across England to earn new playing kit and training equipment – Produced by England Rugby partners Canterbury and Gilbert, and Scottish Rugby partners Macron, the kit available for clubs includes essential items such as playing jerseys, training tops, rain jackets, practice bibs, balls, contact wedges and more.

Jones’ side face an exciting Scotland outfit at Murrayfield on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend’s side bouncing back well from an opening day horror show in Wales by defeating France 32-26 on home soil last time out.

And with the Calcutta Cup on the line once more, Vickery believes England will have to be at their ruthless and efficient best to get the better of their counterparts north of the border.

“I think this weekend is a huge test against one of the best Scotland teams I can remember,” said the former Gloucester and Wasps forward, who scored two tries in 73 appearances for the national side between 1998 and 2010. “I genuinely do believe that and I think it’s fantastic - I don’t like to see other nations suffer.

“I’m proud of my England team; I support my home nations and to see where Scotland are at the moment, to see the work Gregor Townsend put in at Glasgow and for that to filter through to the national team is amazing. “Scotland won’t have any fear. But England won’t either. Because there are no surprises. People are taking Scotland seriously.

“Scotland have proven what they’re capable of and it’ll be another step on the ladder for this England team and it’ll be interesting to see how they deal with that.

“Will they fear it? No. They’ll embrace it and learn from it and show what they’re made of.”

England Rugby World Cup winner, Phil Vickery was speaking on behalf of Mitsubishi Motors as they delivered new playing kit and equipment to Alnwick Rugby Football Club as part of their Kit 4 Clubs initiative. To find out more visit http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/kit4clubs/england/