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Farrell wants England to be ruthless

10th November 2012 13:20

Andy Farrell England defence coach

Andy Farrell: Under no illusions how dangerous Fiji can be

England defence coach Andy Farrell wants the Six Nations runners-up to be ruthless against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday to prove they can match the world's best teams.

England will play the world's top three nations - Australia, South Africa and world champions New Zealand - at Twickenham over the next month and Farrell believes a convincing win over Fiji will be ideal preparation for the southern hemisphere giants.

We have to be ruthless and show them no mercy," he said.

"We are after a performance. We feel like we have got the foundations in place and now we are ready to put some layers on top.

"We have to make sure we set the same level as far as intensity, passion and fight - but the boys also understand that they have to kick on.

"To be the best and beat the best, there is an extra 15 to 20 per cent there.

"We are six months into our journey and there has to be improvement. It is about us kicking on to the next level.

"We are aware of what is coming and it doesn't really get any more exciting than the challenge in front of us over the next month."

England's match against Fiji will be played in front of a sell-out crowd of 82,000 spectators - a clear sign of the growing expectation surrounding head coach Stuart Lancaster's team.

England's last Test was a 14-14 draw with the Springboks in Port Elizabeth on their three-Test tour to South Africa in June. They were unlucky not to win that clash after losing the firs two Tests.

But that experience has given England confidence that they can beat the big three, which is why Lancaster, Farrell and the players are embracing the rising sense of expectation.

"It brings a different type of pressure," said captain Chris Robshaw.

"It is when people are expecting something that you want to go perform. That's what we want to do as players.

"We are under no illusions how dangerous Fiji can be. We have to be ruthless.

"We have to take every opportunity we can and not take 15 minutes to get into the game, like we did in South Africa.

"We have to deliver from minute one."

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