Chris Robshaw wants his team to build on success – Rugby News Update
Chris Robshaw, the 26-year-old England and Harlequins' back-row wants his side to go all-out against South Africa in the first test at Durban, on Saturday, June 9.
England is currently touring South Africa for a three-match test series against the Springboks, along with playing two other mid-week games.
Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, took over as the coach of England following the disastrous 2011 Rugby World Cup, and led his side to second position at the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam. They lost to Wales, and Robshaw wants his team to emulate
that form, which bought them many plaudits for their style of play.
Robshaw knows that the Springboks will be formidable opponents but he believes that they can win. He said, "We understand how hard it is going to be, but that's why we play the game.”
"I'm sure the South Africans will make it intimidating, but we have to make sure we get off to a good start and not let them have the momentum."
England has been together for a few weeks, while the South African team has only had limited training sessions before the crucial first test. Both coaches, Lancaster and Heyneke Meyer, the head of South Africa, preside over their first test as coaches.
Robshaw said, "If rain comes then we'll just have to deal with it. Of course, we might not be able to play an expansive game and tighten things up.”
"You have to play the conditions. The win could get up and that would be something for the kickers to take advantage of."
Both teams will be handing debuts and the team that handles the nerves the best will come on top.
Match Squads:
England: M Brown; C Ashton, M Tuilagi, B Barritt, B Foden; O Farrell, B Youngs; J Marler, D Hartley, D Cole, M Botha, G Parling, T Johnson, C Robshaw (capt), B Morgan.
Replacements: L Mears, P Doran Jones, T Palmer, P Dowson, L Dickson, T Flood, J Joseph.
South Africa: Z Kirchner; J P Pietersen, J de Villiers (capt), F Steyn, B Habana; M Steyn, D Hougaard; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, E Etzebeth, J Kruger, M Coetzee, W Alberts, P Spies.
Replacements: A Strauss, C Oosthuizen, F van der Merwe, K Daniel, R Pienaar, P Lambie, W Olivier.
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