England must step up against autumn rivals, warns Graham Rowntree

 
Chris Jones16 November 2012

Forwards coach Graham Rowntree today demanded England start beating the major South Hemisphere teams, starting with Australia at Twickenham tomorrow.

England go into the match as favourites after hammering Fiji while the Wallabies were losing 33-6 to France in Paris.

The Wallabies have been hit by injury problems although Rowntree (above) highlighted the depth of experience the visitors still possess compared to England.

He said: “We have to start beating these teams who come here in the Autumn series of matches. it’s about time that started.

“This is a very experienced Wallaby side and will be very tough, regardless of what happened against France. They are a cagey team who will make things very hard for us at the break down to get quick ball but we are a good side punching its weight.

“I don’t buy into the theory that we have an edge at the scrum and even though we did score two push over tries in 2010 in Perth we still lost the game.”

Captain Chris Robshaw said: “There is always a great rivalry with Australia in any sport and these games are going to get harder every week.”

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