England will unleash their full force on rugby minnow Georgia when Clive Woodward’s team kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.
Although Georgia have never played in the World Cup tournament and are expected to struggle, Woodward decided against resting senior players ahead of their crucial second match against South Africa.
Martin Johnson leads a side that has only one change from the team that beat Australia Down Under in June with Matt Dawson now ahead of Kyran Bracken in the scrum half order.
Ten of the team started in England’s most recent game, the 45-14 defeat of France at Twickenham on September 6.
The Georgians are unlikely to trouble England, with many pundits tipping the favourite to run in 100 points or more against the World Cup first-timers.
England’s players travelled to Perth knowing virtually nothing about their first-up opponents, except that they play a hard, physical game.
The England management spent time schooling their players on Tuesday, with videos and analysis of the Georgians.
While all eyes outside the England camp are looking ahead to their second match against South Africa next week, the English are claiming to be focused squarely on their opening game.
Centre Mike Tindall said it would be a mistake for England to go easy against Georgia and think of self-preservation for the Springboks confrontation.
”If you worry you’re more chance to get injured,” said Tindall.
”Before we came out, all the physical sessions we did taught us that if you’re going to shy away from the physical contact that’s when you’re going to get hurt.
”As much as you don’t want to get hurt, if you don’t throw yourself in fully that’s when you fall awkwardly, or twist your ankle … You’ve just got to go flat out, smash into people and win the contact.”
Meanwhile, Woodward says he was smiling when he read an insult from Springbok captain Corne Krige aimed at England captain Johnson last week.
Krige, in what he claims was an off-the-record interview, said Johnson was the dirtiest captain in world rugby.
”We see such comments as positive feedback — banter. When you read about it you just have to smile,” Woodward told reporters.
”The reaction in the team room was just one of amusement. Sledging is commonplace these days and we have all been smiling about it.”
Woodward said he expected criticism from outside the team, adding ”it’s the baggage you carry by being the England rugby team”.
”A couple of years ago we tried to change it but you just can’t. I’ve occasionally fired a few barrages back and when I do that everyone goes mad about it,” said Woodward. ”Meanwhile we just sit here and politely cop this rubbish. But I’d be annoyed if any of the England players retaliated. We just have to take the higher ground.” — Sapa-AP
Line-up: Josh Lewsey; Jason Robinson, Will Greenwood, Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen; Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Dawson, Trevor Woodman, Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery, Martin Johnson, Ben Kay, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Lawrence Dallaglio.
Replacements: Mark Regan, Jason Leonard, Danny Grewcock, Lewis Moody, Kyran Bracken, Paul Grayson, Ian Balshaw.