'You can't win without playing well', says England flanker Sam Underhill ahead of Tonga clash
SHOWS:
SAPPORO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 21, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FLANKER SAM UNDERHILL SAYING:
"I think physicality is obviously a huge part of their game but we know they can play as well. I think their ability to play comes off the back of momentum, once they get going they are pretty hard to stop. First and foremost, I don't think they are one dimensional at all, but meeting them physically is definitely a part of stopping their game."
2. WHITE FLASH
3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FLANKER SAM UNDERHILL SAYING:
"Obviously the result is important but for us it's the performance. If our performance is good then the rest should take care of itself. You can't win without playing well, so for us that's the biggest thing."
4. SAM UNDERHILL (LEFT) AND TOM CURRY PASSING BALL AT TRAINING
5. OWEN FARRELL KICKING BALL AT TRAINING
6. GEORGE KRUIS SPRINTING
7. ENGLAND TEAM TRAINING
STORY: Much of the conversation around England's World Cup opener has centred around how they will deal with Tonga's physical threat but flanker Sam Underhill said on Saturday (September 21) the Pacific islanders bring more to the table than just smash-mouth rugby.
The 23-year-old will make his World Cup debut when England take on the Tongans in Pool C at the Sapporo Dome on Sunday (September 22), with coach Eddie Jones keen to see him reprise his effective combination with Tom Curry.
Tonga are renowned for their physical brand of rugby and while England have to meet that challenge head on they must also look to play their own game, said Underhill.
After becoming the first World Cup host nation to fail to make it to the knockout rounds in 2015, England are determined to put things right in Japan. Underhill said the scoreboard would only tell part of the story, however. England had to win in style.
(Production: Jill Gralow, Yoko Kono)
