FORGET A TARTAN BACKLASH, WE’RE READY TO LAUNCH
JOE LAUNCHBURY is braced for a tartan backlash – but says it is nothing to what Scotland have in store. The Wasps lock wins his 50th cap on Saturday, at Murrayfield, where the Scots want revenge for last year’s 61-21 hammering. And Launchbury (in training, above) admits: “I expect a stern test and a strong Scottish side. They will be full of confidence, after beating France, and pretty resolved after what happened last year. “Whether it’s a backlash, or simply the standard of this competition, we don’t expect anyone to have an off-day. “But we’ve got a lot of improvement still to make ourselves. We understand there is a lot more growth in us.” Which must be a concern for Gregor Townsend’s team, given that England plundered seven tries at Twickenham last season. They racked up their highest score in this oldest of international fixtures and equalled their biggest winning margin against Scotland. But they also conceded three tries – a failing Eddie Jones will not tolerate this time. Against Wales last week, England might have needed an incorrect call from the television match official to shut out the opposition.
But Sam Underhill’s incredible tackle to deny Scott Williams a certain try (below) highlighted the emphasis Jones places on defence.
“It was a freak tackle,” said Launchbury. “You’d try that 100 times in training and it wouldn’t come off.
“Collectively, we felt we were very strong defensively against Wales. We didn’t let them play how they’d like to.
“Against Scotland, hopefully, it will be the same. Our focus is on the here and now. We won’t be looking back at last year.”
England are boosted by the return from injury of No.8 Nathan Hughes (far left), having had to do without a big ball-carrying presence against Italy and Wales. The fact they won both games, despite having to mix and match, has given them significant belief according to Launchbury.
“When you miss a carrier like Nathan or Billy Vunipola, it is always a loss, but in a way it can give you a strength as well,” he added.
“You’re not just looking to one guy to carry, but three or four to punch holes in different ways. Rather than having eyes on one target, the opposition doesn’t know where the threat is coming from.”
England, unbeaten against Scotland since 2008, are odds-on to win both the match and the championship.