Rugby: England desperate to clinch grand slam

LONDON - After failing to complete a grand slam at the last hurdle in the past three seasons, Six Nations rugby champions England are desperate to discard the doubts and fears that they crack under pressure.

England, who open their campaign against Scotland on February 2, have proved they are the best team in Europe by beating South Africa and world champions Australia on a regular basis in the last few seasons.

Yet, despite their success, Clive Woodward's side have failed to cement their place in history with a grand slam in the oldest and most prestigious tournament in the game. The last time they won the honour was in 1995.

Last season England were upset by Ireland in Dublin in October at the end of a championship which had been interrupted by Britain's foot-and-mouth crisis.

Woodward, who took over in 1997, knows that missing out on three grand slams could just about be regarded as careless. Missing out on a fourth, despite excellent form on the world stage, would suggest mental weakness.

With next year's World Cup on the horizon, the England coach cannot afford paranoia to set in.

"The Ireland match was massively disappointing for us. It was what the whole season was about," winger Dan Luger said.

Woodward's team must travel to Murrayfield, the scene of another missed grand slam in 2000, on the opening day of the 2002 championship.

Seemingly cruising towards a grand slam that season, England suffered their first defeat against the Scots for 10 years, in a 19-13 loss in pouring rain at Murrayfield.

Scotland welcome back captain and flanker Budge Pountney for the championship after he missed internationals late last year because of injury.

The Scots always pose a serious challenge in front of their fanatical home crowd but after destroying the Scots 43-3 at Twickenham last year, England should open their account with a victory.

They then take on Ireland at Twickenham (February 16), France in Paris (March 2), Wales at Twickenham (March 23), before finishing off with Italy in Rome (April 7).

It seems unlikely that England will fail at the final hurdle this time against unglamorous Italy. Their biggest test is likely to come against a resurgent French side who have begun the European season with defeats of South Africa and Australia.

French coach Bernard Laporte, whose team take on Italy on the opening weekend, has been keen to play down his team's chances of winning.

"England are the best team in the Six Nations, possibly in the world right now," Laporte who made Ireland second favourites for the tournament, said.

He added: "We are much more professional now."

Wales coach Graham Henry is under intense pressure to get his team back on track after their disappointing home defeat at the hands of Argentina in the European autumn, the principality's worst defeat for a decade.

On February 3 they travel to Dublin to face an Ireland team under a new coach in Eddie O'Sullivan after New Zealander Warren Gatland stepped down in November despite his team's defeat of England in the 2001 finale.

"Expectations are high after the autumn," O'Sullivan said.

"Still in the Six Nations championship on the day anybody can beat anybody else."

England today announced two training squads:

England v Scotland

Neil Back, Iain Balshaw, Kyran Bracken, Mike Catt, Ben Cohen, Will Greenwood, Danny Grewcock, Austin Healey, Richard Hill, Charlie Hodgson, Martin Johnson, Ben Kay, Jason Leonard, Dan Luger, Lewis Moody, Matt Perry, Mark Regan, Graham Rowntree, Jason Robinson, Steve Thompson, Mike Tindall, Nick Walshe, Dorian West, Julian White, Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Worsley.

Also attending:

Lawrence Dallaglio, Phil Vickery

England A v Scotland A

Adam Balding, Steve Borthwick, Alex Brown, Peter Buxton, Hall Charlton, Mark Cueto, Declan Danaher, Nick Duncombe, Adam Eustace, David Flatman, Andy Goode, Andy Hazell, Ben Johnston, Josh Lewsey, Leon Lloyd, Andy Long, Tom May, Ricky Nebbett, Tom Palmer, Henry Paul, Paul Sackey, Alex Sanderson, Andy Titterell, Stuart Turner, Dave Walder, Fraser Waters, Michael Worsley.

- REUTERS

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