England back-row forward Tom Wood has credited his side's intensity and hard work for their success so far in the Six Nations.
England are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament after two rounds of competition, with Wood highlighting the close links within the group that could see them win a Grand Slam.
"I don't think there's any limits to what we can achieve," said Wood.
"We have to keep focusing on the next job and stay very grounded. All our victories so far have been built on that intensity and hard work. They are not built on individual flair or individual talent they are built on togetherness and the culture that underpins that.
"The moment we forget that and get ahead of ourselves we are in trouble. It's our ferocity in the breakdown, our energy in defence, our willingness to work for each other that is making the difference and we need to keep remembering that.
"I like to think [we could win a Grand Slam]. If we get things right, we're going to be a very difficult side to beat because we are hard to break down. France will be hurting after recent weeks, Wales are finding some form and will be tough at the Millennium Stadium and Italy are showing what they are capable of, so we'll keep our feet firmly on the ground.
"I think it was a pretty big achievement to come up against such an experienced [Irish] team in challenging conditions and get the win.
"We measure ourselves in terms of consistency and the biggest thing for us is that we didn't just get up for one game against the All Blacks.
"We managed to back it up against Scotland and we came away to a really tough environment and did the same again. We won with a lot of flair and scored some tries against New Zealand and we have come away here and ground out a hard-fought win against a really aggressive, powerful side.
"We're winning in different ways. That is the way we are evolving now."
Comments
kybone says...
rugby_rockstar- He doesn't talk about flair vs Scotland, he talks about flair vs Neew Zealand. H ealso goes on to say things like 'We have to keep focusing on the next job and stay very grounded' and 'The moment we forget that and get ahead of ourselves we are in trouble'- Nothing over confident here. H eactually sounds very focused on the job at hand and what they have to do to get it done.
Posted 14:36 13th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I like that he's identified the work rate and rucking as things they need to keep at the same high level.
Not so keen on all the rubbish about flair vs scotland. It was great for getting over the gainline and ensuring quick service but there is alot to work on with the off loads. the 2nd scotish try was nothing for england to be proud of. and if Tom calls that flair then we're going to fall flat on our faces sooner or later. It was the first time england really went all out with the offloading game so I will take that into account and expect us to improve, but Tom's words about how brilliant we were vs scotland are not what I want to hear. I'm sure Catt and Lancaster have chewed their ears off about the Hogg try, but has the message hit home? not going by Wood's words. Sort it out people.
Posted 09:31 13th February 2013
JamieTheProp says...
I think as long as we come at least second this year it is a job well done - and after winning the first 2 it is now the least we should expect.
Winning away in Ireland is, I think, this groups greatest achievement yet (greater than the AB win) and shows how far they have come - but it is France, Wales and Italy who still stand in our way - all of whom will have the extra motivation of playing the English - so it is a hugely tough task for this young set of players!
Anyway - let's see what happens but I think, for once, the players do have their feet on the ground and Lancaster will ensure that remains - I for one feel proud to be a fan of this particular England side - they are playing good, winning rugby and seem to be a great set of lads! The usual suspects will call them arrogant and superior - but that is just the usual nonsense that we can expect! Ignore it and move on!
Posted 06:34 13th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
You're all right. I'm being too tough on the players. I just hope they stay humble but confident. The mazin thing is it's rubbing off on us fans too. None of us are daring to dream out loud. Was thinking on the strength in depth following announcement of Morgan Corbi and Burns. Who'd have thought last year Tuilagi, Croft, Foden, Lawes would not cruise back in to the 15 when fully fit... and that these three coming back would be so exciting. I'm enjoying all this but predicting nothing
Posted 22:38 12th February 2013
APV1 says...
@ heathy - worse is the microphone being shoved in the faces of players moments after the final whistle. Not only do they miss the "tunnel" and applauding their opposition off the pitch - something which I firmly believe sets rugby apart from all other games - but they also have no chance to reflect. They may need time to reflect on a victory or a loss, but we gain nothing by the same sound-bites and useless cliches.
Give them time to shower and change, gather their thoughts and then speak to the press. Yes, it will be just as nonsensical - they're not going to give anything away really - but at least the press officer will brief them with the party-line. That way you might get a little more than we do now.
Journo - "Player A - can you win the Grand Slam?"
Player A - "Technically it's possible, but we're not concentrating on that. This last game wasn't perfect and we have things to work on. There were some good bits and we can build on those, but we're not getting carried away. We play TEAM XYZ next and they're a tough bunch. They have some really experienced players and some new emerging talent. We can't afford to take them lightly and need to prepare well. We're not thinking beyond that at the moment."
Journo - "So you think you will win the GS?"
Player A - "As I said, it's possible, but we need to look at this last game and learn from that. Then look towards the next one."
Article - "Player A says Grand Slam is in the bag!"
Sound familiar?
Posted 16:06 12th February 2013
Coshie78 says...
One of the many encouraging signs of this squad is the number of leaders in the group. Hartley, Parling, Wood, Farrell and Barritt all seem to back-up Robshaw in that department.
The 2003 squad was the same, although it took them a while and a few harsh lessons to get there. The biggest in my opinion was over confidence - losses to Wales at Wembley and Scotland at Murrayfield smacked of it.
Lancaster looks as though he has that covered for now. I hope they continue to progress as they are. When the 2003 vintage were 12 points down with 20 minutes to go you knew they would find a way to win. We can't say that yet about this squad, but maybe we will over the next couple of years.. fingers crossed..
Posted 15:29 12th February 2013
heathy says...
@ ArmchairGeneral - I tend to agree. In fairness the article shows that he has been asked questions and leading ones at that. All the journo's do it and it ends up here. I do think they are grounded and far from arogant. I can't say that about some of the previous wearers of the shirt but these guys do seem to have their feet on the ground. Having said that, they blinking well should have as they haven't won anything yet bar a few games. They could eaily (and I mean EASILY) lose to France and the wheels come off. I just wish, as a group, that they wouldn't do interviews OR be very guarded what they say. You know what will happen here now? Just wait for the comments as sure as night follows day. They'll be from the same cretinous lot as well..... "Bloody arogant English" blah blah blah......
Posted 13:50 12th February 2013
TVaddict says...
@ArmchairGeneral
To be fair every other team is talking about how they can win it and we're the only ones who can get the Grand Slam now.
Posted 13:46 12th February 2013
APV1 says...
@ ArmchairGeneral - Dick Best was on the radio last evening and said that the only people mentioning the GS are the journalists. Wood is only likely to have answered a direct question about it.
At least, I hope so!
Posted 13:39 12th February 2013
APV1 says...
"It's our ferocity in the breakdown, our energy in defence, our willingness to work for each other that is making the difference and we need to keep remembering that."
"We're winning in different ways. That is the way we are evolving now."
Well said.
I don't doubt he wouyld have made an excellent captain, but Lady Luck wasn't on his side.
Posted 13:38 12th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Oh dear. It's creeping in. And why mention Grand Slam before game 3. This is very disappointing and a surprise from Wood. However he's grounded. Just hope we see no more "potentially we're the best" type comments.
Posted 11:33 12th February 2013