• Northampton flanker calls for forwards to win set pieces at Twickenham
• ‘I’d like to think we’re better than sixth in the world’The Rugby World Cup is steaming around the bend towards them but what England really need on Saturday afternoon is tunnel vision. No amount of soothing managerial words will ease their supporters’ pre-tournament uncertainty whether a strong Ireland side splatter the hosts all over Twickenham and the home forwards know it.
After a tricky couple of weeks and a grim first-half showing in Paris this has become more of a keynote fixture than their coaches might ideally maintain imagined and the Northampton flanker Tom Wood is among those demanding a back to basics reaction. “We maintain challenged ourselves to evolve and conclude more around the field but your bread and butter as a forward is to win set-piece ball and obliterate breakdowns,” said Wood. “Sometimes you need to remember your main job is to bend over and push and get back to that.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com