England's players still believe they can win the Six Nations title despite their agonising opening defeat by France. They face another tricky away trip to Scotland this weekend but their captain, Chris Robshaw, says his side "cannot lose two on the bounce" and are still in the hunt for silverware this season.
Stuart Lancaster's team will definitely be without the wing Jonny May for the Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield, although the second-row Courtney Lawes has been cleared of any serious damage after also taking a blow to the face. Robshaw, though, is urging England to copy the example of Wales, who won last season's tournament having lost at home to Ireland on the opening weekend.
"That is what we spoke about at the end," Robshaw said. "It is about taking inspiration from what Wales did last year. We need to make sure we hit the ground running against Scotland. You can't lose two on the bounce. Of course, we are in a very tough situation and we know the uphill battle we face but it can be done. Everyone is in the right place to fight hard. I don't think we are 'nearly-men' at all."
His view has been echoed by Lancaster, whose side had looked set for a famous victory before a 77th-minute try by the France replacement Gaël Fickou. "Championships aren't won in the first round," the head coach said. "Wales lost in the first game last year and won the Championship. Don't forget that."
Lancaster also made clear he did not regret his decisions to withdraw Danny Care and Dylan Hartley, among his side's most influential players in Paris, at the end of the third quarter. "It wasn't predetermined but Danny hasn't played that many minutes between the autumn internationals and now. We felt Lee Dickson would come on and add energy and momentum to our game. Tom Youngs' ball-carrying when he came on was also excellent."
England's tendency to concede points early on and then let potential victories slip in the final quarter clearly needs addressing. "I don't think it's a trend but, when you put yourself in the position to win, you want to close the game out and we didn't do that," Lancaster said. In their last two games against France and New Zealand England have leaked costly early tries. "We can't give teams a big lead like that, can we?"Robshaw said. "You put so much energy into getting yourself back in front that it knackers you out a bit. It takes quite a lot to get back in front. We need to be the team that imposes ourselves."
May, who suffered a broken nose in an accidental early collision, will not be available to face Scotland, offering a possible start to the uncapped Bath wing Anthony Watson or Saracens' Chris Ashton. Lawes has merely suffered a bruised cheekbone and Tom Wood, Owen Farrell and Jack Nowell needed treatment for cramp.
"I think we were a bit tired towards the end of the game because of the way we played earlier," Care said, "but our performance at times was outstanding. We played some of the best rugby we've played over the past couple of years. If we can do that more consistently and be more clinical and ruthless I think we will win a lot of games. We're obviously gutted about the loss but it's a long tournament. We know we've got to win every game now to win the title."
Lancaster has distanced himself from speculation that England want to recruit Sam Burgess, the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league player, to boost their chances of winning next year's Rugby World Cup.
"I can't comment, other than to say that no one from the RFU has approached the Rabbitohs," Lancaster said. "We'll have to wait and see. It's not for me to decide. He's under contract at the Rabbitohs as far as I'm aware."
