(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Stuart Lancasters squad face New Zealand South Africa Samoa and Australia in a frenetic four-week period at Twickenham next month.
Matt Dawson in Dubai on Thursday. — KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd
Dubai—Matt Dawson says England’s performances — and results — in their four autumn Tests are of paramount importance to their overall chances of winning the Rugby World Cup next year.
Stuart Lancaster’s squad face New Zealand South Africa Samoa and Australia in a frenetic four-week period at Twickenham next month as they gear up for the big kick-off in 11 months’ time.
Encouraging displays and scorelines against Southern Hemisphere opposition in those pivotal outings would put the Red Rose outfit in high spirits heading into the Six Nations Championship in early 2015 while casting lingering doubts for the opposition ahead of their respective returns in September.
“I’m quite bullish about England and playing at home gives us a huge advantage” said the 2003 World Cup winner who was joined by Kiwi commentator Keith Quinn for the Emirates Airline Rugby Long Lunch here at the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City on Thursday afternoon.
“This autumn will be key in so much as even though England have got a few injuries if they manage to beat two of those nations — and particularly if they beat New Zealand — the ripple that sends around the rugby fraternity is considerable and it will stand them in good stead.
“It’s about winning at Twickenham for me. Every single time England go there they need to win and that’s why — if they do go through the autumn and they beat everybody which is possible — then it sends a bit of a shiver around all of a sudden that when it’s World Cup time you’re going into the lion’s den. This autumn series is really important because it’s our last chance to get in front of the big three (Australia New Zealand and South Africa) on our home patch.
“If I was in that England squad I’d want them to go home with their tails between their legs and thinking to themselves: ‘Right the next time we go there we’ve got a task on our hands.’
“It would be better for us if the opposition didn’t have the inherent confidence and motivation of assessing video analysis before a pool match a quarter-final or a semi and wondering: ‘We won the last time we were here. What’s the big deal’” The former Northampton Saints and London Wasps scrum-half 41 believes the current crop of players at Lancaster’s disposal possess better technique and are “10 times more skilful” than the class of 2003.
They are also seemingly “more disciplined” “fitter” and “stronger” than their predecessors from 11 years ago but there remain concerns over their collective mental maturity in the heat of battle.
“The question will be have they got it in their minds to deliver against varying opposition when the scoreboard is going with — or against — them” the ex-England international commented.
“From the first minute to the 80th have they got that ability to close a game out when they need to That unfortunately only comes with experience. In the autumn they will have a chance to close a game out when they’re two points ahead. Can they deliver it Can they close out the opposition when they’re having everything thrown at them They’re all the decisions that you need to have in your armoury. That’s the crash course for England at the moment.”
If England were to go on and ultimately replicate the 2003 success Down Under next year Dawson would happily pass on the baton to boot given the opportunities in life that triumph has opened up for him since. “It was a life-changing experience and a lot of things did change” he added. “You have got to somehow get across to them that this World Cup next year could be a life-changing moment.
“It will be a life-changing moment and all completely positive so grab it embrace it and make the most of it. I’m hugely excited about next year. The 2003 lot have waffled on long enough and I don’t want to be rugby’s version of ’66 where they’re still rolling you out and you’re talking about it. I want the next generation to experience what I have. It’s been absolutely magical. I want them to be hugely successful and to do it on home soil too would be incredible.”
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