Sunday 15 March 2015 18:04, UK
England head coach Stuart Lancaster believes the return of experienced players Courtney Lawes, Mike Brown and Geoff Parling to his squad will offer a huge boost ahead of their Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday.
Lock Lawes replaces George Kruis in the starting line-up after recovering from an ankle injury, while Brown starts at full-back after missing the 19-9 defeat to Ireland having suffered concussion in the victory over Italy.
Leicester lock Geoff Parling, Northampton flanker Tom Wood and Newcastle prop Kieran Brookes also return to the squad to further boost Lancaster’s options for the Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.
“There is a collective level of experience we have brought in,” said Lancaster.
“Leading into the Six Nations we had quite a lot of injuries in the second row at the same time but Dave Attwood and George Kruis have done a brilliant job.
“Having those experienced second rowers back in the side, with Geoff (Parling) to come on, is great.
“Courtney was fantastic in the autumn internationals, around the field and also his presence in the set-piece is big for us.”
Lancaster admitted Harlequins No 15 Brown is desperate to return to action after missing the defeat at the Aviva Stadium but stood by the decision to rest him against the Irish.
“It was a bad injury, a bad knock to his head, and we had to do right by him,” added Lancaster.
“We made the right decision not to involve him in the Ireland game but he’s been chomping at the bit and he trained well last Friday.
“He was exceptional in training today (Wednesday) and he will be ready come Saturday.”
Lancaster feels the players returning to the squad will help strengthen their chances of defeating Scotland.
England need to beat Scotland and France, while hoping Ireland lose to either Wales or Scotland in their final two games, to keep alive their hopes of claiming the Six Nations crown on points-difference, although Lancaster is focused on the Calcutta Cup game.
“You forget about the players we have had out injured but if you look around now you see the quality we have got,” said Lancaster.
“If you look around the team meetings you think, ‘there’s a real high-quality squad developing’. It’s all about Saturday now and narrowing that down to delivering with the 23 we have selected.”
Lancaster was also encouraged by the feistiness of the squad in training on Wednesday.
"Both sides had an edge about them. I had to calm it down and it was me blowing the whistle at the end to make sure we didn't play the game too early," he said.
"The non-15, if you like, had a point to prove but also wanted to create some intensity in the session, particularly at the breakdown, to make sure we were accurate as a team.
"They did that and were a huge challenge for us defensively. It was the type of session you need sometimes in the lead up to a big game.
"You look for that edge and the players were in the right place during the session, but you have to make sure that translates to match day. But it's been a good start to the week.
"You wanted to put the starting team under pressure so that they get used to making decisions under pressure and the more you can replicate that in training, hopefully when the game comes around it becomes easier.
"You can't do it very often because there is usually a game you have just played. We needed it and I'm confident we'll be in the right place for Saturday."
