England look to 2020 campaign for motivation

As with the rest of the England team, hooker Jamie George and scrumhalf Ben Youngs are smarting after Saturday’s 3-point loss to Scotland. However, the experienced pair are looking to history for encouragement and motivation, sighting the events of the 2020 Six Nations as proof that their campaign can still be rectified. 

 “In 2020, we lost to France quite convincingly and went on to win the title,” said Youngs. 

“If you look at the fixtures and who has to go where, the next match is really important. 

“We’re building this team and it is only going to grow from an experience like this. I’ve been in this team for a long time, but for a lot of guys it’s their first ever experience of a Six Nations — their first time at BT Murrayfield. 

“A lot of guys really held their own.” 

George echoed Youngs’ sentiments. 

“It’s disappointing to lose the first game but we have come back from situations like this and won a tournament,” said George – who started all five Championship matches in 2020. 

“We are fully aware that the Six Nations is all about momentum. Our main focus has to be going to Italy and getting five points. We need to win the rest of our games. That’s going to be the main focus. 

“Losing the first game is all people will be speaking about, but I thought there was a lot of good in the game as well. It’s certainly not the end of the world. 

“We are not saying it was all OK and we are gutted to lose, but we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get ourselves right for Italy.” 

The expectation on England to emerge from the Italian fixture with 5 points will be significant. Thereafter, they take on Wales at Twickenham.