Maro still sees plenty for dominant hosts to tackle
MARO ITOJE believes England must develop a ruthless streak after an 18-7 triumph failed to reflect their dominance over Ireland at Twickenham.
For a second successive Autumn Nations Cup match, statistics painted a startling picture of how victory was engineered, with England’s defence engulfing the visitors and making 238 tackles compared to Ireland’s 72.
With Jonny May poaching two tries, the second a stunning solo score initiated from inside his own 22, and Owen Farrell’s boot finding the target, they moved 18-0 ahead with just under half an hour remaining. But having never remotely looked like losing, England were unable to keep their foot on Irish throats in what is viewed by Itoje as a missed opportunity.
‘That’s the next step really for us,’ said man-of-the-match Itoje, who led the tackle count with 24 hits.
‘It’s important to remember Ireland are a serious team. We weren’t playing against mugs out there.
‘They are a well-coached team with some very good players, so they are always going to make it difficult.
‘They were never going to roll over, but we do want to be more relentless. We want to be more clinical and take more control of the game.
‘It was a good performance but there were still things we can tidy up and get better at.
‘A lot of the work we did during the game was very good. We did win the set-piece battle and physical battles.’
Victory has placed England on track for a place in the showpiece finals weekend next month, with Wales their last remaining opponents in Group A.
Trips across the border to the Principality Stadium have traditionally been fraught affairs full of hostility, but next Saturday’s renewal of their age-old rivalry takes place behind closed doors at Llanelli’s Parc y Scarlets.
And 26-year-old Itoje added: ‘It doesn’t matter where you’re playing, you’re still playing Wales
‘Wales are one of the proudest nations around so we know what they are going to bring. We need to make sure we are ready.’
a lot of the work we did in the game was good but we want to be more relentless