All guns blazing! England adopt siege mentality in bid to take the Rugby World Cup by storm, insists Courtney Lawes… with public confidence in Steve Borthwick’s team at all time low
- Public confidence in Steve Borthwick’s England is thin on the ground right now
- Defeats in build-up to the World Cup has generated a siege mentality in camp
- Courtney Lawes can see England flying out of the traps in Saturday’s opener
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
Courtney Lawes has vowed that England’s underdogs will come out ‘all guns blazing’ in Saturday’s World Cup opener against Argentina.
Public confidence in the squad has crashed to an all-time low after England’s summer of woe and the team have been written off.
The players have adopted a siege mentality and Lawes told downbeat fans on Thursday to strap in and enjoy the ride.
‘It is going to be a hell of a spectacle, so enjoy it,’ said the flanker.
‘We are going out all guns blazing and we are going to give it everything we have got. We’re well up for it.
Courtney Lawes is convinced England are going to race out the traps at the World Cup
Defeats in the build-up, including against Ireland, have decimated the public’s confidence
‘We are in the thick of it and we are doing everything we can to make sure we are firing on all cylinders.
‘We feel the frustration as much as anybody but things feel like they’re starting to fall into place.’
Steve Borthwick’s men landed here in Marseilles on Thursday afternoon ahead of their Pool D clash at the city’s Stade Velodrome.
Defeats, injuries and suspensions have overshadowed their preparations but the head coach said: ‘I sense there is a feeling among the players that they’ve been written off too early.
‘This team have had setbacks. They’ve had to adapt, they’ve had to overcome. When I look at people like Courtney, there are a huge number in this squad who are made of tough stuff. I expect them to bring that on to the pitch on Saturday. The players have a hell of a lot more to go.’
Asked about the stinging criticism of the squad, Lawes described it as ‘fuel to the fire’. Argentina’s pack are renowned for their intensity but Lawes insisted there would be no shortage of fight as he goes into his fourth and final World Cup.
England’s players arrived in Marseille on Thursday and are raring to go for Saturday’s opener
Lawes is backing Steve Borthwick’s group to be ‘all guns blazing’ in this tournament
‘I have unfinished business with the World Cup,’ he said. ‘This will be my last shot at winning a World Cup so I’m going to give it absolutely everything and I’m 100 per cent sure the boys are going to follow me.
‘The whole pack are going to need a big performance this weekend. We are up against another big pack but we have some extraordinary players.
‘I am very confident in the boys around me.’
Borthwick added: ‘I have incredible pride in being involved with the England rugby team.
‘I couldn’t ask for more. We all want to help them achieve their dreams on the biggest of stages.’
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