Sunday 15 March 2015 18:00, UK
England backs coach Andy Farrell says the players are keen to make amends for defeat to Ireland when they entertain Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday.
Stuart Lancaster’s team were beaten 19-9 in Dublin earlier this month and no longer have their fate in their own hands in the championship.
A convincing Calcutta Cup victory at Twickenham would boost their chances of winning the Six Nations crown and Farrell says England are determined to return to winning ways against the Scots.
“After a loss, especially at international level, you want to get back on the horse as quickly as possible,” he told Sky Sports News HQ.
“We’ve had two weeks of preparation for this game and there has been a good buzz in training this week. The lads have trained really well and are ready to put in a performance on Saturday.”
We’ve had two weeks of preparation for this game and there has been a good buzz in training this week. The lads have trained really well and are ready to put in a performance on Saturday.
England have struggled to impose themselves early on in games during the tournament while indiscipline let them down at times in Dublin.
Farrell wants to see those factors improve but was keen to stress the players themselves are aware of the problems that need to be addressed.
“We have talked about it and have been practising very hard around the start of the game. All aspects need to be right to get a good start to help build momentum,” he added.
“It’s obvious discipline wasn’t right against Ireland. It’s not something we had to home in on as coaching staff because players feel it themselves.
'Discipline'
“They know that to get a complete performance is what we are all craving and discipline is right at the forefront of that.”
England will welcome back Mike Brown at 15 after he was ruled out of the Ireland match having suffered concussion against Italy in their last game at Twickenham.
The Harlequins full-back can expect to be tested with plenty of high balls but Farrell feels Scotland have varied their style of play since Vern Cotter took over the side.
“Scotland will obviously do their research but they have been playing a little bit different of late,” said Farrell.
“We will have to be good enough to adjust on the day. It is something else we have addressed and Mike is pretty experienced in those types of areas.
“The last game against Italy would have been a disappointment for Scotland but if you look at when Vern Cotter started there has been a lot of confidence going through the camp.
“They have been paying some outstanding, exciting rugby, and they have pushed a lot of very good teams right to the brink.
“Their first performance of the competition against France was a great performance and they could have easily won that.”
