Fly-half Owen Farrell says England will start this year's Six Nations campaign in much better shape than twelve months ago.
The 21-year-old Saracens goalkicker was one of seven players that made their England debuts in last year's Calcutta Cup match - which they won 13-6 - before going on to finish second in the championship.
A year later, with far more settled group, Farrell claims England have hit the ground running in their preparations and will not experience the teething problems that were inevitable after coach Stuart Lancaster's wholesale changes to the set-up.
"As a group we feel like we have the ground running this week," said Farrell.
"Last year it was almost like starting from scratch, learning basic calls and getting to know each other and so on.
"I feel like this year we know each other, everybody gets along well and we have a great set of lads that are willing to out there and put their bodies on the line for each other."
After an impressive win over New Zealand in November, there has been talk of a first Grand Slam in 10 years but Farrell insists the squad cannot afford to look further than the opening clash with Scotland.
"It does not matter if there are expectations on us or not, we are only looking at each of the challenges," he said.
"The first challenge is Scotland, so we have got to put all our attention on that. Then the week after the challenge will be Ireland, so we will look at that and do the same. That is how we've got to do it, we've got to take it step by step."
Farrell's boot is largely to thank for Saracen's place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and with clashes between England and Scotland having been tight affairs in recent years, he is likely to play another important role.
But the youngster insists he feels no extra pressure to kick England in the white jersey.
"As kicker you just prepare the best that you can," he said.
"It is just another kick when you are out there. If it goes well, it goes well; if it doesn't then you move on as there is always the next kick. You just concentrate on the now."
Comments
APV1 says...
@ ArmchairGeneral - Hear! Hear!
(On both your posts)
Posted 10:44 28th January 2013
Heart_of_oak says...
I wasn't referring to Farrell when I said let's not get cocky. I was referring to England fans and the English media who invariably overestimate our chances.
Posted 11:27 27th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
@rugbylover. You make no sense. I read hatred but no meaning in your message.
Posted 23:32 26th January 2013
rugbylover says...
Oh yes?
We can beat the witches hats (although they played a very really cunning game) & (mostly, under Martin Johnson, with dives from that fine sportsman - banned several times - why I wonder?) but then defeat, ALMOST, SA & OZ, but then REALLY wallop the AB's [sic] once - after nine repeat, NINE, shots.
Talk to me again at the end - not just of the 6 nations, but after the November matches in 2014.
sigh.
Posted 18:27 26th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
If Ireland bring the game they brought to Argentina and England the game we brought to ABs its going to be one of the best ever games of rugby!!
Posted 18:00 26th January 2013
LondonWasp says...
@Heart_Of_Oak
he isn't being cocky:
"The first challenge is Scotland, so we have got to put all our attention on that. Then the week after the challenge will be Ireland, so we will look at that and do the same. That is how we've got to do it, we've got to take it step by step."
that statement proves he isn't being cocky. He is saying that he isn't underestimating anyone. take the tournament one game at a time.
Posted 17:21 26th January 2013
Heart_of_oak says...
We almost never beat Ireland in Ireland so please let's not get all cocky now. Cocky people are just going to end up looking stupid.
Posted 14:39 26th January 2013