Tom Wood claims England’s strength in depth has put them in pole position to claim a first RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam since 2003.
The Red Rose currently sit top of the table with two games to go after victories over Scotland, Ireland and France.
At Twickenham last weekend, Wood was part of the side forced to win from behind against les Bleus – trailing 10-9 at the break they walked off at the end 23-13 victors.
And after completing the full 80 minutes he believes England’s fitness – and coupled with their willing replacements – make Stuart Lancaster’s side the team to beat.
“When we play at a high tempo early in a game in an effort to stretch the opposition, we do it in the knowledge that we can afford to go flat-out because the cavalry are there, waiting to get involved,” he said.
“One of the things that really pleased me against France was that I came off the field feeling there was more in the tank.
“I could have gone longer if necessary. That was a real Test match – they picked a very powerful side, full of big ball-carriers – but we were prepared to go through a lot of phases early in the game knowing we’d be running into brick walls, because we also knew the gaps would appear in the later stages.”
