A full strength England team have rubbished any suggestion they’ll be underdone for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final, questioning why Australia’s extra game gives the Wallabies any advantage.
There was positive news on the availability of Billy Vunipola for Saturday’s clash in Oita, with England assistant coach Steve Borthwick confirming the wrecking ball No.8 had recovered from an ankle injury and trained without difficulty.
Vunipola has never lost in four Tests against Australia although he missed the last three meetings for a variety of fitness reasons.
When on song, the 130kg back rower packs a power running game that Australia’s smaller loose forwards could find hard to contain.
With a key fitness issue seemingly resolved, the only question mark hanging over Eddie Jones’ men is whether a two-week gap between games will have a negative impact.
Experienced lock Courtney Lawes quashed any suggestion the cancellation of last Saturday’s scheduled pool match against France to avoid the impact of typhoon Hagibis would leave his team “undercooked”.
Lawes queried why it was necessary to have played a Test match seven days ahead of another to be in peak condition.
“We go through plenty of rugby with our clubs and then have to come together for a Test match and plenty of times we come away with a win not having played international rugby. So I think we’ll be good,” he said.
“I know its a quarter-final but you play it like you play any other game then you give yourself the best chance. If you focus on the performance we put out there then not many teams can beat us.”
While England were resting last weekend, Australia endured a tough examination from Georgia, eventually prevailing 27-8 in a wet Shizuoka.
Lawes said it has been a challenge for his team to control their energy levels at training, such was their desire to express themselves in a challenging contest, having easily dispatched Tonga, the USA and Argentina in pool play.
“You just have to have control and get the best out of yourself in training but make sure you don’t put yourself or other people in harms way,” he said.