Burgess: It’s not all about the Bath brigade

Courtney Lawes insists England are braced to survive an early onslaught from Fiji out of the expectation that the Islanders will be vulnerable when Friday’s World Cup opener nears its conclusion.

Fiji will wear their traditional white strip and occupy the home dressing room at Twickenham, forcing England to switch to their red change kit and fill the role of away team.

But he also chatted about what New Zealand’s pre-match Haka means to him.

The All Blacks were counting the bruises on Tuesday after an intensely physical training session as they ramped up preparations for their defence of the Rugby World Cup. “I guess we could have a shotgun or something to shoot them down, but apart from that, there’s not much you can do about them”.

In 2011 Canada surprised themselves by beating Tonga and tying with Japan, yet they ultimately left the tournament after the first round with just six points.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The squad is massively excited to start the World Cup“.

“This World Cup in England is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: we’re not going to let it pass us by”.

Fiji vice-captain and hooker Sunia Koto said they expect the atmosphere to be intense and loud.

It was not a game that holds pleasant memories for Slade who only lasted 30 minutes before a groin injury ended his World Cup campaign. “It just feels like we’ve been sitting around the hotel, so it’s good to get into it”. Another familiar face in the squad is the Leicester back, Vereniki Goneva, with the giant Nemani Nadolo being a reliable goal kicker who plays on the wing and Matawalu sure to have a trick or two up his sleeve.

“We have a way which we believe will allow us to play to our strengths”.

– Ireland and Italy are the only tier-one nations to never have gone beyond the quarter-finals at a World Cup.

“You have to be thinking clearly in stressful conditions, so I’m trying to add to the team that way – by keeping everyone composed and not allowing things to get too heated”.

“For me personally, after watching his games… don’t get me wrong he goes really well at centre, but I think his prime position in the future will be on the side of the ruck”.