George Ford’s boot got Steve Borthwick’s side home against Argentina last week when he kicked them to a 27-10 win.
England did butcher one genuine try-scoring chance but they were few and far between in Marseille and they have a chance to get the ball rolling against Japan in Nice tonight.
Critics have highlighted England’s lack of a cutting edge but Itoje insists the only thing that matters is the scoreboard – not putting on a show.
The lock said: “For me it is by any means necessary. Obviously, we would like to score tries and score loads of tries, but for me it is by any means necessary. As long as we get the win. Every game is different and will present different challenges. I think that the task is to find ways to get on the positive side of the result.
“With any team, but particularly with the opposition we are facing this weekend, the aim for our team is to impose our game on them. We know they move the ball. The goal is to enforce an English style of rugby on this game. We want to throw our best hand and we want to defend it well. We want to impose our physicality.
Denne historien er fra September 17, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 17, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
