Delon Armitage: England are ready for 'massive' Scotland match

Preparing for battle: Armitage and England are ready for crucial clash with Scotland
10 April 2012

Delon Armitage insisted England are ready to handle the Scottish backlash in Saturday's do-or-die Rugby World Cup showdown at Eden Park.

Scotland have to beat England by their biggest margin in 25 years to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals following their 13-12 defeat to Argentina on Sunday.

England may sit unbeaten on top of Pool B but they know that losing to Scotland could also signal the end of their campaign before the knock-out stages.

"It is going to be massive, the biggest game of my career," said Armitage.

"This is a World Cup. You lose, you go home. You win you progress.

"They are very dangerous but we are in the same situation as them. We will be up for it.

"We know how Scotland will come at us. Every year they come and try and turn us over. We will be ready for it.

"We are not thinking about what might happen - we are just thinking about playing Scotland and trying to get the result.

"Our focus is going in there ready to play a Test match against a tough Scotland team who need to win. We have to be ready for it."

Armitage made an impressive start to the World Cup on the wing, scoring one of England's six tries against Georgia, but he may have to settle for a place on the bench this weekend.

Mark Cueto and Chris Ashton both scored hat-tricks against Romania as manager Martin Johnson reunited his first-choice back three for the first time in the tournament.

Armitage had filled in on the wing for Cueto, who was struggling with a back injury and missed England's victories over Argentina and Georgia.

"I am very pleased with my form. There is still a lot more to come," said Armitage.

"It was tough sitting on the bench against Romania, watching the two wings score a hat-trick and Ben Foden getting over the line.

"I have been working very hard in the games before that and hopefully I get a run.

"If not, as long as England are doing well, the guys are scoring tries and we are winning that is all that matters."

Johnson will name his side to face Scotland in the early hours of Thursday morning.

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