England ready to bounce back
Jason Robinson tonight refuted any suggestion that world champions England might be a team in decline.
Robinson and company are reeling from Saturday’s 11-9 RBS 6 Nations Championship defeat against Wales in Cardiff – a setback which saw English Grand Slam hopes collapse at the first hurdle.
Counting England’s reversal against France in the final game of last season’s tournament, the World Cup-holders now find themselves striving to avoid a third successive championship defeat – something which has not happened since 1987.
It is all a far cry from the heady heights of World Cup glory just under 15 months ago, and Robinson’s team know there can be no hiding place if they lose to France at Twickenham on Sunday.
England coach Andy Robinson has changed a third of the team on duty in Wales, and the Twickenham full-house will not accept a performance which again dips below normal standards.
“We are certainly not on the decline,” said full-back Robinson, who once again leads England in the absence of the injured Jonny Wilkinson.
“You lose one game, and it doesn’t make you a bad team – in the same way as winning one game doesn’t make you a good team.
“Last weekend, we should have won the game; no doubt about it.
“If we can under-perform and lose by only two points then I am sure if we play well this week we will get the win we need.
“I have no doubt in the players we’ve got. I still believe, even though it is a re-building period, that we have got the team to go out and beat anyone on our day,” he added.
“We proved that in the autumn – when we put in some excellent performances - and now we just need to build on that.
“It was a disappointing start against Wales, and we might be down on that. But we are certainly not out. We will come out fighting this week.”
There is a fierce determination among the England players to bounce back from the Millennium Stadium debacle, and the return from injury of proven performers such as Leicester back-row pair Lewis Moody and Martin Corry should make a huge difference.
Centre Olly Barkley also has a big job on his hands, giving England a midfield kicking presence they sorely lacked against Wales – and the team generally has a much more balanced feel about it.
“Defensively, we were fine against Wales. But we didn’t ask any questions of them; we didn’t move them about and we didn’t threaten them at all,” said Robinson.
“When we got out there we didn’t produce. It was an on-the-day thing. Sometimes you have got to accept defeat and take it on the chin. This week, it is all about getting our game right,”
The England squad and coaches have taken collective responsibility for the Wales loss – and given that their next game after this weekend is against highly-fancied Ireland in Dublin, they cannot afford to get it wrong again.
“Last week, everyone under-performed from one to 15 – and we know at this level you can’t do that too many times; otherwise we certainly won’ get selected for the next game,” said Robinson.
“We realise the expectation and the pressure and we get paid to perform under that pressure, so this is what we are all about. We’ve just got to do it on Sunday.
“I think at times you need to say what needs to be said. It’s not easy sometimes, taking things on the chin, but I think I am happy enough to say what needs to be said.
“If that is giving people a kick up the backside then I will do it. But everyone knows that last week was very disappointing, and the main thing now is how we react to that and the challenge that lies ahead on Sunday.”
Robinson also had words of comfort for Newcastle centre Mathew Tait, who made his England debut against Wales at just 18 years old but now finds himself demoted from the team or replacements’ bench.
“I have had a word with Mathew”, said Robinson.
“I still believe in him. He is an outstanding player, no doubt about it, but this week we have gone for a different option in Olly (Barkley) because of the kicking.
“Mathew has just got to take it on the chin, keep working hard like he is doing, and I am sure he will feature in some of the games.
“For me, he is still a great talent. If he was good enough last week he is certainly good enough this week – but we’ve gone for a different option, a different style of attack.”
| Related Stories: |
|
