Martin Johnson vowed England would not repeat past mistakes as they seek to clinch their first Six Nations grand slam since 2003 against Ireland today.
Johnson captained England to a grand slam in Dublin eight years ago before later leading the team to glory at the World Cup in Australia.
But before that trophy-laden year, England had fallen at the last hurdle on no fewer than three occasions, squandering a grand slam in their final matches in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
In 1999, a last-gasp Scott Gibbs try saw Wales snatch a dramatic victory at Wembley. A year later, England’s slam dream was washed away against Scotland in a Murrayfield monsoon.
The following season, an expansive England side had racked up big wins over France, Scotland, Italy and Wales before slumping to a 20-14 defeat in a postponed game against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.
Johnson believes that a desire to win in style – rather than a desire to win at all costs – was partially to blame for that hat-trick of near-misses.
“I think that team thought they had to win in a certain way at times. But winning is more important,” Johnson said.
“The team in 2001 was in many ways more dominant than the team that won the grand slam in 2003. They made more line breaks, created chances but just didn’t put them away – they couldn’t find a way to win it.
“The mindset of ‘we just have to win this game however we have to win it’ is always a healthy one to have. That’s the way we talk about it. We’ll do whatever we have to do to win.
“I think we want to play a certain way but we have to be smart as well and play what’s in front of us.”
England’s fortunes have been transformed over the past 12 months following the introduction of a crop of talented youngsters.
Johnson shrugged off concerns that his youthful side might struggle to deal with the pressure accompanying today’s must-win game.
“We’ve got pressure on us every game – there’s no denying that – but we see this as more of an opportunity,” he said.
“Days like tomorrow (today) it’s about being able to control the ball in the heat of the battle. If we do that we think chances will be there.”
Today’s matches: 15.30 Scotland vs Italy; 18.00 Ireland vs England; 20.45 France vs Wales.
Standings: England 8; Wales 6; France, Ireland 4; Italy 2; Scotland 0.