Daily Mail

ENGLAND ATTACK COACH FIRED UP BY BRAVEHEART

- By CHRIS FOY

SCOTT WISEMANTEL, the Australian in charge of co-ordinating England’s attack, gave an outsider’s perspectiv­e yesterday on the age-old rivalry of the Calcutta Cup. England enter the final day of the Guinness Six Nations knowing that if they topple Scotland, and Wales’s Grand Slam bid fails against Ireland, they will be champions. And Wisemantel said he had been getting in the mood by sitting in front of the television. ‘I’ve watched Braveheart a few times. I read up on the history of the Calcutta Cup and it’s quite interestin­g,’ said Wisemantel, referencin­g the 1995 film in which Mel Gibson plays 13th-century Scottish warrior William Wallace (right). ‘It’s just such a long time it’s been going. It’s more than a rugby game, sometimes. There are historical links for the supporters.’ Wisemantel was appointed attack coach before last summer’s tour of South Africa, adding a new dimension to England’s game. Eddie Jones’s men have amassed the most and it means a huge amount to us,’ said Lions and Saracens hooker George. ‘Eddie has got into the history of it with us — he asked us when the first ever game was. No one knew that, which was probably poor from us! ‘Often in long tournament­s like this you almost want to get to the end and start thinking about getting home. So our focus has been on enjoying the fact this is our last week together and being excited about being back at Twickenham. We want to put on a bit of a show for the crowd.’

 ??  ?? tries heading into the final round. ‘I’ve never experience­d the Six Nations in a coaching capacity, I’ve always been a spectator and it’s special. It’s a great tournament,’ said Wisemantel. ‘While you’re in it, you just do your job and do it as well as you can. Afterwards you think about it and you go, “Wow, that’s pretty special”.’ Jamie George insists the perception that the crossborde­r rivalry means more to Scotland than England is inaccurate as they prepare to lock horns in the sport’s oldest internatio­nal game for the 137th time. A run of seven successive England victories ended with a 25-13 defeat at Murrayfiel­d last year, but Twickenham has not been stormed since 1983. ‘I can only talk for England
tries heading into the final round. ‘I’ve never experience­d the Six Nations in a coaching capacity, I’ve always been a spectator and it’s special. It’s a great tournament,’ said Wisemantel. ‘While you’re in it, you just do your job and do it as well as you can. Afterwards you think about it and you go, “Wow, that’s pretty special”.’ Jamie George insists the perception that the crossborde­r rivalry means more to Scotland than England is inaccurate as they prepare to lock horns in the sport’s oldest internatio­nal game for the 137th time. A run of seven successive England victories ended with a 25-13 defeat at Murrayfiel­d last year, but Twickenham has not been stormed since 1983. ‘I can only talk for England

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom