Six Nations: Chris Robshaw says England are better equipped to cope with the Millennium Stadium this year
Last Updated: 04/02/15 11:03am
Chris Robshaw has warned Wales that England have improved a lot since they were heavily defeated on their last trip to the Millennium Stadium in 2013.
England will be back in Cardiff for this year’s RBS 6 Nations opener on Friday night and will be desperate for a measure of revenge after the rout of two years ago.
Stuart Lancaster's side were looking to complete a Grand Slam that day but instead succumbed to a record 30-3 thrashing.
However, captain Robshaw is not expecting to undergo a similar experience this year.
"We are further down the road and have come a long way since that day,” said the back row man.
“We have more experience now.
"Unfortunately in life you learn from your experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly. That was an ugly afternoon for us, and to have the biggest loss to Wales on your CV is not nice.
As a squad, every time we meet up, we seem to be better than we were before. Guys understand the structures better, the lineout moves, the plays, the patterns.
Chris Robshaw
"But it's about how you bounce back from those days and we didn't dip after that game.
“Of course it was a bad time for us, but we didn't dip. We continued to evolve and in the next campaign we built again.
"As a squad, every time we meet up, we seem to be better than we were before. Guys understand the structures better, the lineout moves, the plays, the patterns.
"Even when faced by adversity and different types of pressure, because we've been through that, we've got that experience and understanding of each other.”
The Wales supporters are sure to create a hostile atmosphere for the England side but Robshaw is confident they will cope.
"We know the intensity that's going to come our way,” he said. “The passion and hostility of England going down to Cardiff and playing Wales.
"There's always going to be a lot of excitement and anticipation, especially after what happened two years ago going down there. Unfortunately, we fell at that hurdle quite badly.
“But we are confident in what we're going to bring to the party and the way we're going to play our game
"Of course, it's a two-sided game and you've got to know out there you are going to be under the pump and that momentum will go against you at times.
"But also, when it's your turn to make it count, you need to, because a lot of factors can go against you."
