ROBSHAW: WE’RE READY FOR YOUR DIRTY TRICKS

Robshaw says England know all about dirty tricks and will relish anything Scots throw their way

CHRIS ROBSHAW says England have grown wise to dirty tricks and now travel the world without fear.

The former captain has seen it all over seven Six Nations campaigns in which England have gone from nearly men and World Cup flops to kings of Europe.

They had the lights turned out on them in Wales, a drum beat played over the PA system to set a tempo for Ireland to attack to in Dublin, and a marching pipe band sent out to delay their arrival in Scotland.

Rivals delight in sticking it to England. But Robshaw reckons they have reached a point under Eddie Jones’ stewardship where nothing puts them off their game.

“We’re always going to be tested in different scenarios,” he said. “But I like to think we’ve a mature group of guys who’ve been through a lot on and off the field.

“I love going away. I love that it’s the 23 of us against everyone there. These hostile environments are where you enjoy challenging yourself as a player.

“And we prepare for what-if scenarios so if tricks and sideshows do arise you’re ready mentally and in a good place to deal with it straight away.”

Robshaw’s debut as England captain coincided with the Murrayfield bagpipe stunt of 2012. “We had to go at a certain time and weren’t allowed to deviate from that time,” he recalled. “As soon as our bus pulled in 50 bagpipers came out, pretty much crawled out in front of us.”

England had the last laugh that day and one defeat since 2015 convinces Robshaw the more hostile the mission the more this squad now relishes it.

“It’s great at home when you have 82,000 cheering you on,” he said. “But away from home, where you only have pockets of fans here and there, is where it brings you closer together as a unit.

“You’re going right into the heart of the fire. That really forms a camaraderie and when you come out the other side it makes you grow another inch.”

Jones’ aim is to develop a team so “robust” it is able to roll out the same winning performance no matter where they play.

Nothing is left to chance. Surveillance cameras now monitor the players everywhere, bar their bedrooms, at the team camp as Jones moulds them into warriors capable of conquering the world. So beating Scotland should be all in a day’s work. They dare not fail. Big Brother is watching them.