Alex Lozowski insists England are prepared for physicality of Samoa
Wednesday 22 November 2017 07:44, UK
England must turn the ruck into a "no-contest" area if they are to beat Samoa at Twickenham, according to Alex Lozowski.
Lozowski could win his fourth cap when England host Samoa on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action, and the Saracens fly-half is expecting a bruising encounter against the Pacific Islanders, as the Red Rose look to secure a clean sweep of victories from their Autumn Internationals.
"If you look at the way they play, they like a contest at the breakdown," said Lozowski.
"As an attack it is really important our support play is good and we are not giving them an opportunity to compete, and hopefully the ruck will be a no-contest because we are there quickly to make sure the ball is won.
"Then we can play fast and get on top of them and not let them recover. The breakdown is a hugely important part of our game and I can see them going for the ball.
"I do enjoy it (the physicality), it is a hugely important part of the game.
International Rugby Union
"What puts a defence in trouble is speed of ruck ball so if you are making passive and weak tackles you only put yourselves on the back foot.
"The responsibility is on us and myself to know the consequences of our actions and that is why it is really important, when I am getting ready for a game, I am preparing to hit hard and hit well because if you can get in those good dominant tackles it can slow down that ball."
England are set to name a much-changed line-up from the side that comfortably defeated Australia last weekend, after head coach Eddie Jones allowed eight players to return to their clubs.
Lozowski is one of a number of fringe players hoping to further their claims for a regular starting berth and the 24-year-old insists he is prepared for the physicality of the Samoans after clashing with Mathieu Bastareaud in the Champions Cup.
"I think back to Saracens against Toulon in the European Champions Cup group stage, where the physicality in that game was unbelievable," said Lozowski.
"Pretty much every one of the Toulon players was an international and so they played at a Test match intensity. That game is the one that stands out in terms of brutality.
"I managed to get cut in half by Bastareaud, which I remember for all the wrong reasons.
"I didn't see him coming at all so I was more relaxed and it didn't hurt. It is worse when you see them coming and tense. That is how you end up getting hurt."
