Lancaster tells his troops they have to believe
ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has announced an unchanged starting Xv for the beginning of an arduous Pool A campaign against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday. The tournament opener promises to be a physical affair — and one in which the hosts will look to put down a marker in front of a demanding and expectant support. To galvanise his troops, Lancaster issued a rallying cry on Sunday to his team, acutely aware of the pressure they will be under to deliver once the action gets underway. ‘We had a meeting,’ he revealed. ‘Basically all i was doing was articulating my belief and trying to build their belief that they can go on and win the tournament. ‘not in an arrogant way, in a positive way. ‘Why would we do all the work and then think: “can we, can’t we?”. ‘We’ve just got to believe we can. it was about building belief. ‘The two events we had last week opened up the players’ eyes a bit about how big this event is. ‘We saw what it meant to the players and their parents when they saw their sons get their caps — that brought it home. ‘We try and keep it business as usual but we also need to ramp it up at some point; not on the day of the game, but the day before. ‘i talked about it and we’ll have a meeting before the captain’s run at Twickenham. ‘The day of the game will take care of itself. By the time 8pm comes around, it’ll be at fever pitch. ‘We won’t need any ramping up on the day of the game, we’ll need to calm it down. ‘in the Millennium Stadium game this season we had the hype before the game, the holding in the tunnel and the light show and it’s all going to be like that on Friday night. ‘We’ll have been sat in the changing room during the opening ceremony and as we’re stood waiting to go on the pitch you can imagine what it is going to be like. ‘The point is, you have to remain focused on the game because that is what is going to win it for you.’ Lancaster’s words were met enthusiastically by his team. ‘it was a fantastic meeting, quite moving for every player,’ said centre Brad Barritt. ‘i think each player came out of that feeling a bigger part of something special and feeling really honoured to be a part of this ride. Both the video and the way Stuart spoke was hugely emotive. i have no doubt it will resonate throughout the squad. ‘The video showcased a young player coming through the ranks, dreaming of playing for england and playing in a home World cup.’ Lancaster is viewing this week as an interesting psychological challenge, in terms of ensuring that his men are at the right emotional pitch at precisely the right time. He spoke of the preparation process for such a momentous game as ‘an interesting one from a coaching point of view’, especially given england’s status as tournament hosts, with the attendant glare of attention. ‘That weight of expectation — you have to turn into a positive,’ he said. ‘it’s down to me as the head coach and the other coaches to not put that weight of expectation on their shoulders. ‘We have to sell the message to the players of what’s to come; just to go and experience the time of their lives and be positive about the rugby they play.’ England team to play Fiji in World Cup Pool A at Twickenham on Friday, September 18, 8pm KO: Brown; Watson, Joseph, Barritt, May; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, T Youngs, Cole, Lawes, Parling, Wood, Robshaw (capt), Morgan.