England manager Martin Johnson insists England are under “no illusions” about the threat posed by Italy as they attempt to maintain their winning start to the Six Nations today.
The pre-tournament favourites opened their campaign with a 26-19 win over Wales in Cardiff last week and will be expected to build on that victory with a 17th straight defeat of the Azzurri at Twickenham.
Johnson however has warned that England will need to be at their best against an Italian side who came agonisingly close to upsetting Ireland last week before slipping to a last-gasp 13-11 defeat.
“We seem to have the same conversation whenever we play Italy, even going back to when we played them in the 1995 World Cup and the World Cup qualifier in 1998 - they are tough games,” Johnson said.
“They should have won last week. They can play. They keep hold of the ball and put you under pressure. They do that well and we are under no illusions that this is the toughest Test we can play this week.”
Johnson, a keen follower of American football, also evoked the spirit of Vince Lombardi this week, the legendary Green Pay Packers coach who famously stated: “Winning isn’t the everything; it’s the only thing.”
Reacting to suggestions that England were expected to put on a stylish performance against Italy, Johnson’s response was blunt.
“Number one is we win; number two is we don’t have any serious injuries; number three is it’s a good game, an exciting Test match,” Johnson said.
“If you start thinking about what it looks like, then you’re in trouble,” Johnson said.
Italy meanwhile have made four changes to their side, with injured scrum-half Edoardo Gori and New Zealand-born flanker Josh Sole replaced by Pablo Canavosio and Valerio Bernabo respectively.
The other two switches see Australia-born fly-half Kris Burton drop to the bench with Luciano Orquera replacing him and South African-born lock Carlo Del Fava coming in for Santiago Dellape.
Playing today: 15.30 England vs Italy; 18.00 Scotland vs Wales.
Tomorrow: 16.00 Ireland vs France.