Care’s warning as England eye Wales revenge
ENGLAND match-winner Danny Care insists they will have to play even better next time out against Wales than they did in Saturday’s watershed Six Nations victory over Ireland.
Stuart Lancaster’s side produced their best performance of the championship to win 13-10 at Twickenham, ending Ireland’s hopes of a grand slam and blowing the competition wide open.
A first title of coach Lancaster’s reign is now just two wins away, though Care, who scored England’s only try against the Irish, has warned that the competition is only set to intensify.
“We’ve given ourselves a chance,” said the Harlequins scrum-half.
“We know we have to keep improving, keep getting better and take each game as it comes.
“Wales is going to be a huge game. They played really well on Friday so they are going to come here full of confidence. Hopefully it will be another great game.”
Wales, who ended England’s bid last year and revived their own Six Nations hopes with a 27-6 win over France, visit Twickenham on Sunday 9 March. Lancaster’s men wrap up their challenge in Italy six days later.
Lancaster rated Saturday’s triumph, which spoiled Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll’s world record-equalling 139th cap, the most significant of his two-year tenure.
He added: “That was a real Test match. Ireland are a quality team. It’s fantastic to have won, and to get the reward at the end given the commitment we have put in is really pleasing.
“The Six Nations is open for everyone given the way the results have gone. It’s been a fantastic championship this year. We’ll enjoy this win but we know that there’s a big, big challenge in two weeks’ time.”
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt singled out England’s Mike Brown for special praise after the Harlequins full-back continued his fine tournament with an outstanding display.
“His running in broken field was maybe the difference between the two teams,” said Schmidt, whose side had taken the lead through Rob Kearney’s try early in the second half.
“They are the small instances in the game when things break open, and unfortunately for us they broke open for England. It was very much a complete package from him today.”