England full-back Anthony Watson says he can’t wait to get back on the field and attempt to wrap up a third Guinness Six Nations title in five years.
England sit top of the standings on points difference from France and had been due to visit Italy in their final match before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 Championship to be postponed.
If England secure a bonus-point win in Rome when the match is re-arranged, only Ireland can stop them from winning the title.
Ireland have two matches to play and must gain bonus-point victories against Italy and France, should Eddie Jones’ men do the business in Rome.
England started the Championship with defeat to France in Round 1 but bounced back with a scrappy victory in Scotland and two home wins against Ireland and Wales.
A calf injury caused Watson, who was part of the side that won the Championship in 2016 and 2017, to miss England’s first three matches but he returned against Wales and scored a try in the 33-30 win.
“I thought our response to losing the first game in France was good,” he told the Rugby Paper.
“We were slow out of the blocks in Paris and that was disappointing but to come back from that with the win over Scotland in some of the worst conditions I’ve seen and put in a dominant display against Ireland was world class.
“On the back of that I was grateful for the opportunity to get back in the team against Wales and it was another good performance. We were at a high level and were looking forward to go going to Italy.
“However, there’s still a good chance to win the Championship and we’ll look forward to that.”
Since England last played, head coach Jones has signed a new contract that will see him stay in charge through to the 2023 World Cup.
And Watson says the Australian has had a major impact, both on English rugby and his own game.
“That’s great news, not just for me personally but for everyone involved with English rugby,” Watson added.
“I think the way he’s driven the competitiveness and standards since he’s been in charge is world class and on a personal level, he’s helped my game loads.
“He’s made me look at rugby in ways I hadn’t thought of before and I feel like he’s developed me. I always wanted to concentrate on playing full-back but in many ways he’s opened my eyes to the fact that back-three players need to be interchangeable.”
