Anthony Watson says England must play without fear of injury against Italy
Anthony Watson insists England will perform without fear of sustaining an accident in their World Cup warm-up Evaluation against Italy on Friday, live on Sky Sports Action.
Says his team-mates shouldn’t drop their criteria at St James’ Park at their Quilter International.
Eddie Jones’ side venture out to Japan on Sunday planning to land a World Cup because Jonny Wilkinson’s last-minute drop-kick procured a triumph in 2003.
“You can not worry about it and I’m not concerned about it,” said Watson on the potential for picking up an injury against Italy.
“As soon as you begin entering contact at 85 percent and begin worrying about ensuring you get on the plane on Sunday, you won’t play as well as possible and you would probably get hurt anyway.”
England bounced back after defeat to Wales at Cardiff using a convincing 57-15 success over Ireland which means they have won just two of their three summer internationals.
Jones has confirmed he’ll hand a debut into winger Ruaridh McConnochie and Watson is convinced that his, that has been chosen in the 31-man squad can bring a new dimension to the national side.
“Having played Ruaridh at club level I now know a bit about him and what to expect,” Watson added.
“He has blown my mind in how he has come into this set-up. He’s always eager for understanding and attempting to understand, therefore he has not been really fazed by anything.
“He’s taken it in his stride and torn it up really, which is testament to him as a bloke. He is deceptively strong in the way he carries the ball.
“He never gives up and doesn’t go down smoothly.”
View England vs Italy reside on Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 7pm