FORWARD JAMES HASKELL insisted there will not be a repeat of England’s unsuccessful Grand Slam attempt in 2011.
England — led by Martin Johnson at the time — won the Six Nations Championship four years ago but missed out on the Grand Slam after losing 24-8 to Ireland in their final game in Dublin.
Stuart Lancaster was appointed following England’s forgettable World Cup campaign a few months later.
England return to Aviva Stadium on Saturday seeking to make it three wins from as many games in the 2015 Six Nations. And Haskell – captain of London Wasps – said England are better equipped under Lancaster.
“It was a very different place in terms of the structure with England and the coaches and where we were,” said Haskell. ”I don’t think you will ever see an occasion where something like that [Grand Slam collapse in Dublin] happens because boys are too experienced.
“The squad has moved on now. Everyone back then still wanted to play for England and play well, so I think they get a harsh rap.
“But with Stuart [Lancaster] coming in, we have a game plan that is very clear and concise and it suits the players that are playing it. That is the difference.”
Connacht 23 – dragons 18. Shocking conditions. Heenan great. A big pond behind the posts. Dragons red card for swinging arm/punch/clothes line. Hard to describe really. Come on Score don’t forget about us!
Connacht 30. Speedboat came in handy for try.
disappointing perfomance but great result and badly needed to stop the recent slide 2 pts ahead of scarlets and into 6th place now with treviso at home next.
Sorry Jamsie but “There’ll be no repeat of 2014 narrow loss to England” warns Ireland!!! Have ye heard of the Schmidmeister across the sea??
Let them talk them selves up. They won’t do themselves any favours.
What a game it could be if our backline gets motoring…
What’s with all the crowing lads? All he said was they have moved on since 2011. So have we. Some Irish rugby fans appear to be developing a smugness which does them, this coach and this Team a disservice. Senior players and Schmidt know that they have yet to deliver a complete performance. England already have delivered away from home which makes me nervous.
the voice of reason speaks! this is not the arrogant england team of years gone by. lancaster has brought a humility and “work for each other culture” to the team. You can only respect them at this stage and that worries me for ireland’s chances. That being said their media is still the same old hype machine. We should not dismiss them for then we become no better than the england teams we all hated in the past. still think we’ll win though.
That chap has some opinion of himself!
No lack of experience? Is he having a laugh?
so england were inexperienced back in 2011? Suuuuuuuure tell yourself that repeatedly and it might come true.
Oh can’t wait for this one. It will be tight. Ireland by 3.
Ireland by 5
Ireland by 32
I was unclear. The fact that he said that can never happen again is his faux pas. Because it can and he should work to avoid that. Not patronise the Irish inadvertently cos hes thick.
It’s going to be very close.
I do like Ford but he is no Sexton.
If Brown is out then Goode is going to be looking up at the sky alot!
Irish halfbacks will be the difference between the teams.
Mark. Not really. I think the folks are reacting to the bit where he says he can’t see that ever happening again cos the team are experienced now.
Is Brown out? What’s the story there?
Waiting to hear.
It would be 4 wins from as many games. Come on guys!