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Rob Andrew's thoughts on the challenges facing Eng
By KATH September 18 2007
Rob Andrew MBE is the RFU’s Elite Rugby Director. Throughout the 2007 Rugby World Cup he will be writing his own weekly column exclusively for rfu.com. This week, Rob looks ahead to the challenges facing the England team and how they will be overcome.

 

The Rob Andrew Column

 

Picture Empics

Information from rfu.com/2007

Needless to say this isn't the easiest time for Brian and the squad, nor the most rewarding for England fans.  But we have to put the South Africa game to bed and focus on going forward.  The coaches have given the squad a very clear focus for the Samoa match on Saturday and the players know that this time they must carry it out on the field.  This week is about keeping cool heads and making sure everyone knows what they have to do to carry out the game plan.

 

Obviously losing Jamie Noon was devastating news.  The biggest disappointment for me is that he didn't have the opportunity to show what he's capable of doing before injury cut short his tournament.  The same could be said of the team as a whole, but luckily the rest of the players have a chance to put that right in the remaining matches.

 

Although Brian is without Jamie and Jason Robinson for this game, fortunately Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley are fit again and Toby Flood has also joined the squad in place of Jamie. In Mathew Tait and Dan Hipkiss we have two specialist outside centres out there, so rather than make a direct replacement for Jamie, Brian's opted for Toby who offers us some more cover in the inside positions and also gives us extra firepower at goal. 

 

The enforced changes through injury, and probably the manner of our defeat to South Africa, have meant a new look back division.  One of the key difficulties we've had to face has been around a midfield operating consistently.  The injuries to Jonny and then Olly have meant we haven't been able to get any consistency in this crucial area.  But these guys, along with the likes of Andy Gomarsall, are experienced players.  Having been forced to sit and watch the side struggling, they will bring an insight into how they can change things and a determination to make the most of their chance to help put things right.  

 

The emphasis for Saturday has to be on performance, and putting together a performance that represents what the players are capable of doing to give the squad - and the nation - a lift. 

 

This is what everyone is looking for.  For whatever reason, we haven't done it yet.  But look at France.  Their unexpected loss to Argentina in the opening game left the host nation in shock but the team's performance on Sunday in their victory over Namibia has totally changed the whole feeling over there in the space of a week.

 

That's what sport can do, it can change the face of a nation in just one performance. 

 

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