Cueto: We’re in decent shape
England are unbeaten heading into the pivotal Twickenham clash but determined to improve on a laboured victory over Italy which prompted fierce criticism.
Jonny Wilkinson bore the brunt of the blame for a lack of attacking ambition after England spent too long embroiled in tedious kicking duels.
But Cueto insists England have learned the lessons from Rome and emerged stronger for the experience.
“Regardless of how well or how badly we have played, ultimately all that matters is the result.
“We are two from two, we can’t be in a better position,” Cueto saidyesterday.
“We would maybe have liked to have got here in a better way, but ultimately we are where we want to be.
“I think in a funny sort of way it is almost better to have two games where we have had to grind out results than to beat Wales at home and wincomfortably in Rome.
“There would be a danger of looking forward to the Ireland game with a false sense of security of where we are as a team.
“Whereas the way the games have gone we are under no illusions about where we are, but we are in a positive position and we have plenty to be confident about and plenty to believe in.
“Every game is pivotal because you lose one game in this competition and everything goes down the drain.
“We are happy to have two wins and be on for a Grand Slam. But every game is so important, so massive that you can’t think beyond it.”
Cueto was one of England’s better players in Rome but his initial reaction to the team’s performance was the same as those supporters who booed the teams off.
But on closer analysis, Cueto thinks that when England did back themselves to attack Italy they played some of their best rugby since Martin Johnson took charge.
The key for the Ireland game, though, is for England to translate those promising opportunities into points.
“We just didn’t play that well, we didn’t do what we set out to,” said Cueto.
“The funny thing is that looking at the game since we played it, I have been a lot happier than when I was walking off the pitch. All I thought was that we didn’t play any rugby, kicked the ball and it was boring but we actually made more line-breaks off counter-attack than we had in 12 months. There was a lot of kicking in the game but there were times we did make line-breaks.
“Maybe we should have done it more but on the day we didn’t quite get it right.
“Against Italy we showed better form than we have shown for a year or two – but in the same game we showed worse form than we have shown for a year or two.
“We are definitely looking for a better, more consistent performance.”
England tackle Ireland at home before finishing the championship with two tough away fixtures, against Scotland at Murrayfield and France in Paris.
The Irish, beaten by France last weekend, have certainly not written off Wilkinson or England on the basis of the Italy game.
Captain Brian O’Driscoll said: “He (Wilkinson) is a world-class fly-half who can still win games on his own. Not many can do that. They’re one of the favourites to win the Six Nations.”
There is also a measure of personal revenge about Saturday’s clash for Cueto, who has lost on all three of his England performances against Ireland.
His overriding memory of facing the Irish is frustration.
In 2005, England lost 19-13 at Lansdowne Road after Cueto had a try disallowed for offside, a decision that prompted a tirade from head coach Andy Robinson.
Last season, England lost to the eventual Grand Slam champions at Croke Park by just one point having had two players sin-binned.
“They are always very tight games and from a personal point of view it would be nice to beat them and get a try,” said Cueto, who has not scored against Ireland or in his last eight Tests for England.
“I am in a bit of a drought at the moment but it will come. My all-round game is better than it has ever been. It is not like there are glaring opportunities that I am butchering.
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