Italian ambush awaits England
Italy captain Sergio Parisse believes England could be vulnerable to a Six Nations upset as they bask in the afterglow of their impressive win against Wales.
The English underlined their credentials as contenders for the Six Nations title by toppling Wales 21-16 in Cardiff last week and are expected to sweep the Azzurri aside at Twickenham on Saturday.
Parisse, whose team were routed by Ireland in their opener, acknowledged Stuart Lancaster's side were impressive at the Millennium Stadium, but he hopes that success will breed over-confidence in the England ranks, which Italy could exploit.
"England have won a huge battle in a very unfriendly stadium and they may lack a bit of focus when they face us," Parisse said on Friday.
"I'm not saying they will underestimate us, but clearly after such a crucial win there is the risk that their attention to detail will be a bit more relaxed.
"We watched them play Wales and we've seen what everybody else has – they are a strong, in-form team.
"They are filled with young, exciting talent and they won a high-intensity encounter, so clearly this will be tough for us.
"But we are looking at the challenge as a chance to prove to ourselves we are still a competitive team. Mentally we may arrive there more prepared than we have been in the past."
Meanwhile, Lancaster insists England now have more players with the crucial 'x-factor' in their ranks than at any other time in his three-year reign as head coach.
Among the exciting game-breakers in the backline are centre Jonathan Joseph and wing Anthony Watson, both of whom scored against Wales.
Lancaster believes it takes players with exceptional skills, such as the footwork of Joseph and Watson or the speed of wing Jonny May, to make the difference at the highest level.
When asked about the number of x-factor players at his disposal, Lancaster said: "I do think we have more now – guys like Joseph, Watson, Ben Youngs and George Ford.
"And further down the line there will be others who come into the equation like Manu Tuilagi, who has been developing a tactical perspective while he has been injured."
Lancaster is particularly enthused by Watson, the Bath wing three-quarter who showed flashes of brilliance against Wales in only his fifth Test appearance.
"I believe Anthony could be exceptional for us. He's still growing and he's still only 20. He's been a real find in the last six months," said Lancaster, who has named an unchanged starting line-up and bench for the Italy clash.
"He's been thrown in at the deep end as an international player. He does the basics exceptionally well and his aerial skills are exceptional.
"He's big, tall and athletic and we've yet to put him in too much space in the games – and that's his point of difference."
Agence France-Presse
