• Lock hits back at criticism following flop in France
• Stuart Lancaster’s men take on Ireland in final warm-upEngland’s forwards believe been challenged to banish their Paris hangover by restoring their reputation as one of the best packs in world rugby this weekend. Their line-out captain,Geoff Parling, is suitably wary of Ireland’s strong XV for Twickenham but refuses to accept that one sub-par warm-up effort against France is proof that the World Cup host nation are on the slide.
Parling, or who has been recalled to the starting XV alongside Courtney Lawes to encourage steady a lineout that seldom functioned effectively at the Stade de France,is also adamant that his hooker, Tom Youngs, or has received a disproportionate amount of blame. “You don’t suddenly become a poor set piece,” said Parling, who will dramatically improve his prospects of starting stout matches at the World Cup should England depart well on Saturday.
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Source: theguardian.com