Rugby World Cup 2015: England ready to win - Graham Rowntree
England v Ireland |
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Venue: Twickenham, London Date: Saturday, 5 September (14:30 BST) |
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Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and Radio Ulster FM, plus live text commentary online. TV highlights, 18:00 BST, BBC One. |
England are ready to win the 2015 World Cup, according to forwards coach Graham Rowntree - but he says the squad have not yet reached their peak.
England face Ireland on Saturday in their last game before the World Cup.
"This team is going to get better and better as it gets more experienced but I promise you this team can win a World Cup now," said Rowntree.
English rugby chief Rob Andrew said on Thursday he believes the team will peak "in two or three years".
'Our World Cup starts on Saturday'
Rowntree said England will treat Saturday's match as an opportunity to "make a statement to the world".
"Ireland are one of our fiercest rivals, with some true warriors," he said. "It's going to be a real test for us - that's why I say our World Cup starts on Saturday.
"But we're at Twickenham and we've got our home support. We're spoiled really - the support we're getting now is unbelievable.
"It makes the hairs on my neck stand up just thinking about that roar when the guys run out."
'Fixed' - but not set in stone
Forwards Geoff Parling (left) and Tom Wood (right) come into the team for Saturday, while scrum-half Ben Youngs (centre) retains his place
England's scrum and line-out were widely criticised after the 25-20 defeat by France in Paris two weeks ago, and Rowntree is expecting a big improvement.
Tom Wood replaces James Haskell at flanker, while Geoff Parling comes in for Joe Launchbury in the second row.
"It's important for me as a coach to break things down and fix them, and we've done that," said Rowntree. "I'm looking forward to seeing them fixed."
However Rowntree adds there could further changes to the pack before England face Fiji in their opening World Cup fixture on 18 September.
"We're still looking at things," he said.
Opportunity knocks for Wood
Northampton's Tom Wood told BBC Sport there was a lot at stake for both teams and players before the start of the World Cup.
"It's the last chance as an individual to put your hands up and try to get that starting role," he said.
"Both teams are going to be going for it because a loss for either team means very little momentum going into the World Cup with two losses on the bounce."
Wood also backed England to get over their scrum and line-out problems.
"We've been a world-class pack for the last few years," he added. "We've been competitive with every team we've played and the pack's been a salvation at times , so we're still very confident."
Teams
England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); George Ford (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Geoff Parling, Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby).
Replacements: Jamie George (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby).
Ireland: Simon Zebo (Munster); Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster); Jack McGrath (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster); Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster) capt; Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Darren Cave (Ulster).
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