Will Greenwood: I’m sure that classy England will run riot against Fiji

Centre of attention: Brad Barritt divides opinion but has impressed Will Greenwood in the build-up to the World Cup
(Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Chris Jones10 September 2015

Will Greenwood is predicting that England will hit the ground running in their World Cup campaign, which gets under way a week tomorrow.

The 2003 World Cup winner believes Stuart Lancaster’s team should rack up a morale-boosting 20 points win over Fiji in the opening match at Twickenham and is confident that England and Australia will emerge from Pool A — the so-called ‘Group of Death’ — leaving Wales licking their wounds early on.

The former Leicester and Harlequins centre, now a successful TV analyst, said: “If, like England, you have aspirations to win a World Cup and you are at home playing against a team you have never lost to at Twickenham with a pretty good points average, then a win of between 20 and 30 points over Fiji is possible.

“England are a tremendously well organised team, with a hugely aggressive defence, which is a signature of Stuart Lancaster’s time in charge.

“My view is that it’s not daft to expect to be six to eight points up by half-time and in the second period you get two converted tries, so then you are suddenly at 20 points without having to set the world on fire.

“England want to hit the ground running. It’s about making an impact in what will be an incredible atmosphere at Twickenham and I will be there with my family to experience something special.

“Of course, Fiji will come to play and they have some great players, but the sheer number of man hours England have had together means a margin of 20-30 points is very achievable and would be a very good opening salvo.”

Greenwood, who won 55 England caps and scored an impressive 31 tries, accepts that Wales have lost a key man in Leigh Halfpenny, who ruptured knee ligaments on Saturday, but is adamant Dan Biggar is great goal kicker.

“The loss of Leigh isn’t terminal for Wales,” he added. “The Wales game plan is not affected; they will be confrontational and come right at you. However, I do not believe England fear Wales at Twickenham and I said seven or eight months ago that I didn’t see the Welsh getting through the pool and that remains my view.”

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For many England fans, the inside centre position has been a problem role ever since Greenwood retired and Brad Barritt, who will play No12 against Fiji, divides opinion. Barritt is captain of England’s defence and will be tasked with ensuring Fiji’s backs do not run riot at Twickenham.

Having studied the Saracens centre closely, though, Greenwood understands why Lancaster puts so much faith in him.

“He adds steel to the team,” he said. “A back line is about balance and what he brings is the darkness to other people’s light. He may not be up in neon lights, but he drops people on the gain line.

“Watching Brad, an intriguing respect for him has developed into a total acknowledgement of his game.”

Aviva ambassador Will Greenwood was at a Parliamentary Reception celebrating the success of Aviva Tackling Numbers, delivered by the 12 Premiership Rugby clubs and available online at aviva.co.uk/tacklingnumbers

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