Martin Johnson urges England to be strong
Martin Johnson today challenged his players to prove they have found the way to win volatile Tests.
England's Grand Slam hopes were crushed two weeks ago when they lost 20-16 to Ireland, conceding the crucial try from Tommy Bowe just five minutes from time.
Tomorrow they step into the Murrayfield cauldron to face Scotland, who will be roared by a passionate crowd desperate to see their men defeat the Auld Enemy.
Although the Scots are without a win in this Six Nations, captain Chris Cuister said yesterday that the Murrayfield factor was "a big advantage" for his men.
England have wilted on their last two visits north of the Border — losing 18-12 in 2006 and 15-9 a couple of years later — and Johnson is urging his team to stand strong so they don't fall for an unwanted hat-trick.
"We only have ourselves to blame for what happened against Ireland and we have to find a way of winning Test matches. We are better for the Irish loss and it's part of this team's development," said the team manager.
"Winning in the last 10 minutes comes down to self belief and execution under pressure and a team needs to respond to the hurt of a defeat. No one wants to be sat in a losing dressing room on Saturday night - it would be a very tough place to be.
"Going to Murrayfield, the mind set have to be right and have to enjoy the volatile situation and I much prefer a hostile environment than a quiet one.
"We want to come at the end to a relatively quiet back ground with a third win of the championship. We have to win under the heat, pressure and fatigue of Test match rugby and we must be relentless."
