Wigglesworth: England must be absolutely match for Rugby World Cup opener
England’s assault coach downplayed the Red Rose squad’s harm profile forward of their first Pool D encounter, in opposition to the Pumas in Marseille on Saturday week.
England had been handled to a heat welcome amid their official World Cup capping ceremony of their base camp city of Le Touquet on Saturday, with boss Steve Borthwick’s aspect settling into their plush environment.
Courtney Lawes missed the event as a consequence of soreness after Friday’s coaching session within the north coastal city, however Wigglesworth was unconcerned in regards to the standing of the lock who’s in line to captain England in opposition to Argentina.
Squad captain Owen Farrell and No 8 Billy Vunipola will miss the Pumas conflict by way of suspension, however England are nonetheless sweating on a raft of different gamers
Tom Curry missed England’s total World Cup warm-up programme with an ankle drawback, and didn’t prepare on Friday.
The Sale flanker can be a nailed-on starter if match, however his absences now make it a race in opposition to time for him to be able to characteristic in opposition to Argentina. Elliot Daly has been carrying a calf drawback and lock George Martin a knee grievance, whereas Kyle Sinckler had a chest challenge.
“There are a few little bumps and bruises like everyone has, but I think we will go into next weekend with a pretty clean bill of health,” mentioned Wigglesworth.
“Tom Curry should be good to go, we are hopeful everyone is going to be ready. We don’t know yet but we think we should be good going in.
“Courtney Lawes is a bit sore from training on Friday, so we decided the best thing for him was not to sit in a chair for an hour or so, then have to stand up.
“He is resting at the hotel, he is a bit sore from training, the pitch was heavy because of the rain. It’s nothing too serious, we are just looking after him.”
England have slipped to their joint lowest-ever world rating of eighth earlier than the World Cup, within the wake of their maiden defeat by Fiji at Twickenham.
Argentina have jumped above England within the rankings, and Michael Cheika’s staff have a nice likelihood of victory within the south of France.
Wigglesworth refused to quantify the size of enchancment England should ship for the World Cup, regardless of shedding three of their final 4 Tests and 6 of Borthwick’s 9 in cost.
The former Leicester coach additionally insisted England are in a position to insulate themselves from outdoors criticism.
Steve Borthwick’s aspect go into the World Cup in dreadful type
/ Getty ImagesEngland’s greatest hazard now could also be that in ignoring wider criticism they could bury their heads within the sand of a fast-approaching World Cup failure.
Borthwick and his coaches are steadfast of their resolve that the plan will come collectively in time, regardless of all proof on the sphere to date performing in contradiction.
“We know we need to improve; I’m not going to pluck a percentage out of the air,” mentioned Wigglesworth.
“In the magic that is the game of rugby many things happen, so there are a few things we have got to get right and to improve. The lads have started getting into that over the last few days. We’re confident that we’ll improve and give a good account of ourselves.
“We had to put some things in place being a new team together, but I don’t think there’s ever been the situation where they haven’t been particularly close with us coaches.
“From my point of view my relationship with those lads, I’m close with a lot of them. We’ve been in constant dialogue.”
When requested in regards to the exterior criticism coming England’s approach, Wigglesworth continued: “You’re assuming that it’s filtered through. If you’re inside the group then you know something I don’t.
“You filter the noise. It’s all completely individual that sort of stuff. We know where we want to go as a team, we know how hard we’re working.
“The lads have been first-class. You’re probably plucking at things, hearsay and what may be untrue, so I wouldn’t like to comment on that.”