NATIONS2016 We’ll open hurt locker
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JONATHAN JOSEPH is banking on the burning desire sparked by past failures propelling England to a fi rst Six Nations title for fi ve years.
There has been little discussion within the squad on the curse that has rendered England the championship nearly men; there has not needed to be.
Six Nations runners- up for the past four seasons, their pain was only exacerbated by a searing World Cup experience. They go into Saturday’s Test against Wales at Twickenham desperate to deliver the victory would almost certainly bring them the championship.
“We have had a lot of disappointment and a lot of setbacks that have hurt us as a team. We know what it feels like to not quite get there,” said Joseph.
“In the last Six Nations we didn’t quite make it and the World Cup was obviously not great for us, but it’s good to have that inside to spur us on. We don’t want to feel like that again.
“We’re fully committed to doing all we can to win this next game. That’s what everyone feels, that’s how we’ve approached it. Fingers crossed we’re going to get that win.”
Joseph was a helpless spectator when Wales beat England at the World Cup, sidelined by a chest injury. That did not stop him experiencing the same agony as his team- mates as Wales produced their heroic late comeback at Twickenham.
“It was a tough one. The last 10 minutes were horrible to watch. It was obviously not a great time for all of us,” he said. “At the time all I was thinking about was trying to be fi t for the week after but each individual that was involved in that World Cup campaign will look back and it will hurt them massively. That will be a driving factor inside of everyone.”
The rematch will see intriguing match- ups all over the fi eld not least at centre, where England’s midfi eld of Joseph and Owen Farrell will be conceding two stones a man to Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts.
Farrell has proved a success as a second playmaker for England in this championship, though, and Joseph is again the Six Nations’ leading tryscorer this season with three.
“They are two Lions and two very good players. We need to be on our A- game, we have to shut them down,” said Joseph. “Hopefully we will squash any threats and we’ll manage to cause them a bit of trouble when we attack them.
“We have gelled together nicely the more we have trained and played together. The interlink between the backs and forwards is working very well and we’re putting defences under a lot of pressure.
“We’re learning fast under a new system, we’re all eager to get better and hopefully there will be another improvement against Wales.
“It’s a massive rivalry. Wales are always up for the game against us and so are we. It will be a huge contest and we hope the backing of our home crowd will help us get the win.”
There is no fear factor at play for Warren Gatland’s side about the venue or the opposition. Wales know how to win at Twickenham having done so in three of their past fi ve games against England.
For England, it is a case of rebuilding their suburban fortress – and their reputation – brick by brick.
“We need to back up the displays we’ve put in and teams will start to fear us again,” said Joseph.
“We had a good week training in Bath and we’re obviously excited after three wins, so we’re in a good position.”