FP – Assistant coach Andy Farrell says England have proved in recent months that they have what it takes to prevail against Wales in Saturday’s Six Nations decider in Cardiff.
England, gunning for their first grand slam in a decade, face a Wales team who have swept all before them three times in that period, including in last year’s championship.
However, Farrell believes the experience England gained in the draw against South Africa last June and the subsequent 38-21 defeat of New Zealand at Twickenham in December will stand them in good stead.
“When we have had a challenge thrown at us, we have responded,” Farrell said.
“It is the ultimate test to go there and win, but it is where we want to be.
“Wales have been there and done it. They have been a tremendous side over the years. They have a lot of experience and won grand slams.
“It is going to be a tremendous challenge because experience should come through. You would expect trophies to go with the experience.
“We don’t mind a bit of adversity. It is where we have been good in our short time together.
“Experience has to start somewhere and we have to be challenging to win our first trophy.”
Farrell singled out the memorable win over world champions New Zealand – which followed back-to-back losses to Australia and South Africa – as proof that England need fear no-one.
“What pleased me most about that win was the adversity of us losing the two games before it and the pressure it put on us,” he said.
“The performance that came out of that showed a team that isn’t going to fold under pressure.
“People’s expectations were then for us to kick on. We played well against Scotland and showed character through the rest of the Six Nations to get where we are now.”
Since cruising to a four-try victory over Scotland in their Six Nations opener, England have struggled to break down their opponents with the ball in hand.
Despite beating Ireland, France and Italy, they have run in just one try, with their finishing against the Italians particularly poor.
Farrell accepts that England must do better against Wales, but he says it would be wrong to draw too many conclusions from Sunday’s 18-11 win over Italy.
Farrell revealed that Joe Launchbury had not trained on Tuesday, but said the lock’s elbow injury wasn’t as bad as first fear.