THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS
ENGLAND MUST STEP UP, SAYS HERO ROBINSON
WORLD CUP winner Jason Robinson has called on England to find another gear against Scotland or risk an early exit. Former wing Robinson (inset below), part of the 2003 squad that lifted the trophy in Australia, believes Martin Johnson’s men have yet to fire on all cylinders. He said: “It’s a massive game. England need to make a statement to show they are serious contenders for this tournament. They need to take it up a gear. A World Cup is about performing under pressure and it is time for England to do that.”
LAST EIGHT CAN WAIT, INSIST PATIENT WELSH
WALES assistant coach Rob Howley is refusing to jump the gun and anticipate a quarter-final with Ireland. Warren Gatland’s mean will effectively qualify for the last eight, where they are likely to meet their Six Nations rivals, if South Africa convincingly beat Samoa this morning. But Howley said: “I think it’s dangerous to look ahead. It’s about concentrating on our game and controlling your own destiny. Sunday is our next game [against Fiji]. If it’s a good game, then we can look ahead to the quarter-finals.”
IRISH SHRUG OFF THREAT POSED BY ITALIAN SCRUM
IRELAND defence coach Les Kiss has brushed off Italian suggestions that Sunday’s Pool C decider will be all about scrummaging. Azzurri boss Nick Mallett, who needs a win to stand a chance of overtaking the Irish, has insisted his front row will prove their superiority. But Kiss said: “There’s no mystery behind it, they’ve got a good scrum. But we’ll back our guys as well, there’s no doubt there. The scrum is one part of the game, it’s very important and it’s going to play its part at some stage, but we’ve got other parts in our game that we’ll bring as well.”