Wednesday 12 November 2014 06:35, UK
England centre Brad Barritt revealed his team have taken a lead from Ireland in forming their tactics to beat South Africa on Saturday.
Joe Schmidt’s side ran out impressive 29-15 winners last weekend over the second-ranked team in the world thanks to some clinical finishing and a dominant tactical display from half-backs Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray.
Barritt revealed England will be incorporating elements of the Irish game plan into their own but he is expecting the Springboks to be supremely motivated to avoid back-to-back defeats.
“It is a case of having both physicality and guile and brains about what we do,” Barritt told Sky Sports News HQ. “Ireland were able to unlock some keys in how to exploit them.
“We know the Springboks will learn from that but it’s now up to us in terms of our analysis and our on-field decision making to do the same. Both teams have a huge amount to play for.
“It’s going to be an epic test at Twickenham. Getting the Twickenham faithful behind us is going to be key and showing that intent from minute one to minute 80 and sustaining that level of performance.
“It is something we have spoken about at length and we are very, very keen to atone for the wrongs of last week.”
England started very brightly against New Zealand and took an early lead through a fantastic solo try from Jonny May.
The All Blacks gradually took a stranglehold on the game, however, keeping England pinned in their own half after the break, as they seized the initiative.
It’s going to be an epic test at Twickenham. Getting the Twickenham faithful behind us is going to be key and showing that intent from minute one to minute 80 and sustaining that level of performance.
Barritt revealed England have analysed at length what went wrong in the second half and he is confident they have made the adjustments to ensure those mistakes are not repeated.
“We looked at the positives,” he said. “It was an unbelievable first half in terms of our intent and what we showed and how we were going to take the game to New Zealand.
“The second half was obviously disappointing, the way we lost the territory battle and the way the All Blacks squeezed us in our own half.
“They didn’t allow us to get any energy into our attacking play because they didn’t allow us any territory. There is a hunger and a determination to turn it around this weekend.”
Watch England take on South Africa Twickenham, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2pm this Saturday.
