Ugo Monye insists England can upset the formbook and secure a first RBS Six Nations title for seven years this season.
Winger insists England can spring Six Nations surprise
Harlequins winger Ugo Monye insists England can upset the formbook and secure a first RBS Six Nations title for seven years this season.
England endured a largely miserable autumn international campaign with a solitary uninspiring win over Argentina sandwiched between resounding defeats to both Australia and New Zealand.
Despite that, Martin Johnson was bullish about his side's chances of clinching a first Six Nations success since 2003 as he named his squad for the tournament on Wednesday.
Johnson included rugby league converts Chris Ashton and Shontayne Hape in his 32-man party as he continues to experiment in search of a winning formula.
His team have been criticised both for their results and brand of rugby and head into next month's showpiece as outsiders for the trophy.
However, Moyne insists England are capable of pulling off a surprise and has urged his team-mates to show similar belief in their ability.
"We definitely should go into it thinking that we can win it," the Quins flyer stated. "It will be difficult but I think it is definitely possible that we can win it.
"All we have to do is have the belief that we can do it.
"We have very high expectations of ourselves and just have to have the confidence to win it.
"We have a very good coaching staff and have to have belief within the playing staff that we can win it.
"We have players who are playing well for their teams domestically and we just need them to transfer that form onto the international stage."
Questioned
While a regular in Johnson's squad throughout last year, Moyne found his international place being questioned after a torrid personal spell during the autumn.
Having been shifted from wing to full-back for the match against Argentina, the 26-year-old struggled to adapt and produced an error-strewn performance during a laboured win which led to some stinging criticism, aimed both at him and the coaching set-up.
But Moyne is quick to defend the coaching regime and feels the criticism will only make the squad stronger.
"There's nothing wrong with the coaches at all," he continued. "It was a frustrating series for us as a team and it was frustrating for me on a personal level in the second game (against Argentina).
"It was good for me to have the experience of playing against New Zealand. I had to play two games at full-back but when I was out on the wing I was much more comfortable.
"The criticism made us stronger as a unit and we tried not to get involved.
"It's not nice hearing it but obviously the management are going to be the first ones in the firing line when things go wrong."
