England head coach Stuart Lancaster praised his side's maturity after they recorded an impressive 12-6 victory over Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
The win saw the visitors make it two wins from two in the Championship as four penalties from Owen Farrell bettered Ronan O'Gara's two kicks.
Lancaster though credited the whole team for their outstanding effort at the Aviva Stadium.
"I think we had a good first half. The start of the second half, we gave up a couple of turnovers and that put us under pressure but the way we managed the sin-bin period was critical," the England head coach told the BBC after the win.
"I thought we grew in strength towards the end of the game and deserved the win.
"I'm chuffed for him [Farrell] and for the maturity of the whole team. There are a lot of young players out there, they've come away from home and we've not won here for a long time.
"You can see the weather out there, the lads are freezing but we've gone and got the win and we'll take it.
"The stakes have always been high but they get even higher when you've got France coming to Twickenham off the back of losing yesterday, so we'll build ourselves up for that, which will be massive."
Comments
lawynd says...
@rugby_rockstar - is Tom Wood vocal enough? Yes he leads by example but so did Mike Tindall and Martin Corry, and neither were cut out for the job. Robshaw is constantly talking, marshalling the forwards, giving the out-halves instructions and generally chivvying everyone along. I've never seen Wood like that, even for Northampton, and it's a fair indicator too if there are other senior players ahead of him at club level for captaincy too - Hartley and Dowson, off the top of my head.
Posted 12:03 12th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
NH Saints, I still think Tom Wood would be a better Captain than Robshaw. I'd love to ask Stuart Lancaster who'd have got the job last year if Tom Wood had been fit. He'd never admit it publically though, would he.
Posted 09:26 12th February 2013
Isograford says...
France are going to get pummeled to a pulp at Twickers. I'd look away if i were French.
Posted 18:41 11th February 2013
APV1 says...
He is The Ice Man.
Posted 10:33 11th February 2013
NHsaints says...
Owen Farrel is proving to be an excellent player, as is Tom Wood (no matter what position he's playing), Lawes was outstanding when he came on, I'd give him a start next week. Youngs had an awful game but Hartley was excellent when he came on, I'd give him a start as well. Goode was at times excellent and at times woeful, otherwise we had a good day at the office.
Posted 22:34 10th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Agree. Maturity from a young team is promising. Mature England teams have lost in Dublin. Before this game Ireland were the team to beat. No doubt England were lucky, and opposition were not at their best tired after Wales and the ref was on theei side and the hype and arrogant fans oh yes and again the hype no one has seen is just hype. But well done England so far. Keep confidence quiet.
Posted 21:17 10th February 2013
ruck_man7 says...
Farrell has shown real maturity and composure. Whether it be at home or in an away match, he rises to the occasion. Very handy in tight games.
SL's faith in him is paying off.
Posted 20:41 10th February 2013