Dan Cole believes England can overcome their injury problems and win this year's RBS Six Nations.
England prop targeting top spot in Six Nations
Dan Cole believes England can overcome their injury problems and win this year's RBS Six Nations.
England travel to Cardiff to take on Wales in the championship opener on Friday night but are without several first-choice players.
Lewis Moody, who captained the side throughout the autumn, and Tom Croft are missing from the back row,
prompting a debut for Northampton's Tom Wood.
Courtney Lawes could miss the entire Six Nations with a knee problem, while Dave Attwood and Delon Armitage are suspended.
But Leicester prop Cole, who has become an integral part of England's front row since his debut in the corresponding fixture at Twickenham last February, remains upbeat.
"There is a lot of confidence in the England squad regarding the Six Nations," he said.
"We are coming off a bit of a blow against South Africa in the autumn but we are excited about playing Wales.
Massive
"It is a massive game, a must-win because we want to win the Six Nations and I think Wales on a Friday night is as hard a place as any to go."
Cole picked out defending champions France as again being the team to beat.
"The French are looking strong, they have stayed free of the injury bug so far," he added.
"England and Wales have taken some (injury) hits but, no matter who pulls on a shirt for England is going to play as hard as possible.
"The championship is poised to be a tight one."
