England have to get back on front foot
ENGLAND assistant coach Matt Proudfoot is eager to help Eddie Jones’ side right the wrongs of their shock 11-6 defeat to Scotland after recovering from coronavirus.
The 49-year-old tested positive in January before joining the camp and, while he only missed one training session, it was far from an ideal way to gear up for the Six Nations.
Ahead of the game with Italy, the forwards coach is well aware of the areas in which England must improve.
‘I only missed one day’s training and I don’t think that was an excuse,’ he said. ‘There is a balance between Scotland being really good and us being a couple of per cent off what we normally do.
‘The plan for this Six Nations is to take the pack forward and to build on what we have done in the past and be better at what we do.
‘We let ourselves down a little bit and the focus will be to get this team on the front foot. The Italians traditionally have been tough up front and a good side that scrums well and mauls well. A lot like Scotland, they try to get in between you and try to distract you, so that has been our focus – how we deliver the dominant performances we did in the autumn.’
The former Scotland international was shocked to discover he had coronavirus and detailed the impact it had on him. ‘I was quite surprised I got it,’ Proudfoot said. ‘My wife and I were really diligent and, coming into camp, I was really diligent.
‘The first couple of days you don’t feel bad and then for four or five days it gets hold of you. I really feel for people who have gone through it and suffered with it worse than I did.’