Graham Rowntree: The win on the opening weekend in Cardiff is good for belief.
England will use the “template” of their stunning victory in Cardiff to combat the atmosphere and intensity of Dublin this weekend, according to forwards’ coach Graham Rowntree.
Rowntree was a member of the England coaching staff in 2011 when their Grand Slam hopes were destroyed by a passionate Ireland at the Aviva stadium, and that has reinforced his belief that Ireland has “an aura” and always raise their game to face the English.
Never will that be tested more than on Sunday when the two unbeaten sides in the Six Nations face each other in Dublin, but Rowntree believes this English team are not as vulnerable as previous incarnations.
Key to that belief is their experience in Cardiff on the opening weekend of the tournament, when Chris Robshaw’s side recovered from 10-0 down in a fervent atmosphere to claim an impressive victory.
England eased past Italy in round two and would be well set for a Grand Slam if they win in Dublin, but Rowntree has lavished praise on Joe Schmidt, who can take Ireland to a record 10th successive victory this weekend — proving that aura is well and truly in place.
“Ireland have always had an aura,” said Rowntree. “They’ve always been able to turn the intensity up when they have to.
“I remember going over there for the potential 2011 Grand Slam match when they beat us well. It was the way they turned up the heat on the Saturday. They’ve always got that to go to as a nation. That’s what has always impressed us.
“The win in Cardiff is good for belief. You have to experience those occasions as players. And for a lot of our guys that was their first experience of such an atmosphere and doing well. And that has to be a template for us because it will just be the same in Dublin.
“Are there any lessons from 2011? Composure. As a team now, our composure is better in terms of coming back after going behind on the scoreboard. We’re a lot more settled and composed as a team. The art is not chasing it too early; and sticking to our plan. That was an issue in that game.”
Another issue in that 2011 game was England were completely dominated up front, with Paul O’Connell key to Ireland’s success. Rowntree has worked with the Irish captain on two Lions tours and his admiration for the Munster man shone through yesterday as he assessed what the 35-year-old brings to his country.
“I’ve got so much time for him,” said Rowntree. “He’s such a pleasure to work with. Diligent.
“After training he’s asking ‘how do you do that tackle? Show me how you do that.’ He’s done everything, but he’s still pulling players to one side after training.”
So much respect for Schmidt, too. Rowntree rejects Schmidt’s suggestion England are ‘20%’ ahead of Ireland at present — “we are flattered he said that but we know we need a lot more” — but believes Ireland have moved to another level under the former Leinster Coach.
“They are up for this game. And so are we.”
Meanwhile, Mike Brown could still start for England in Dublin on Sunday despite previous indications being he would be rested after being knocked unconscious against Italy 11 days ago.
Rowntree revealed he is still progressing through the Graduated Return to Play protocols before saying that the England coaching staff would have no problem selecting him if the 2014 Six Nations Player of the Championship is declared fit.
“Mike completed the running base session on Tuesday, which is great news for us, and we shall see how he recovers from that overnight,” said Rowntree.
Elsewhere in the side, Jack Nowell is certain to start on the wing after Lancaster last night cut Jonny May from his matchday squad.
The move was widely expected after May’s disappointing performance against Italy, while Lancaster has also cut experienced quartet Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling, Tom Wood and Brad Barritt, all of whom have only just recovered from injuries.
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