Stand-in captain Pat Sanderson says there will be no repeat of England's 1998 farce.
England's stand-in captain Pat Sanderson says that there will be no repeat of the 1998 'Tour of Hell' when they visit Australia this summer.Andy Robinson has opted to rest most of his top stars and included youngsters such as Tom Varndell and Mathew Tait in the 30-man tour party.
Sanderson, standing in for the rested Martin Corry, made his England debut in a similarly depleted side that were hammered on tour eight years ago.
England's 1998 side were soundly beaten by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, including a record 76-0 humbling by the Wallabies.
Sanderson has no interest in being involved in another such fiasco, especially as skipper, and says this England side will be a different story.
"This is a very different squad and it is a very different stage for English rugby," said Sanderson.
"We have come on a lot since 1998 and this tour is going to be vastly different from that one.
"We can't do anything about how we are perceived until we have played. We can't affect how people think about us until we have played well in the first Test. Every time you play for England you play to win and we will go with that in mind.
"To go to Australia and win we have to play a different brand of rugby and we can't just rely on forward dominance. We have got the talent in this squad to play some good rugby, but if we are going to win a lot of people will have to put their hands up.
"We have got some young exciting backs and forwards and it is up to us to take this opportunity."
Robinson insisted Corry needed a break despite the player himself being desperate to lead the tour, but his absence has given Sanderson a great opportunity.
"Being captain is the greatest honour you can receive in sport," he added.
"To captain the squad we have got is very exciting. I'm looking forward to getting on that plane, getting down there and playing."
