New regime pleases Tindall

Mike Tindall insists there is a new mood of optimism within the England camp.

Six Nations, England v Scotland, Twickenham, Saturday February 3, KO 4pm

Mike Tindall insists there is a new mood of optimism within the England camp after the woes of the autumn internationals.

England have endured a terrible run of results in recent months with a series of eight defeats in nine culminating in the axing of Andy Robinson.

However, with new coach Brian Ashton now at the helm, Gloucester centre Tindall claims there is a positive outlook among the England squad.

And Tindall, who is expected to win his 50th cap alongside rugby league convert Andy Farrell in centres against Scotland on Saturday, believes a three-day camp at Twickenham ahead of the start of the championship was one of the best he has been involved in.

He said: "It was just completely different. The Tuesday morning session, for instance, was one of the best England sessions I've done in years.

"It was fun and it challenged the players, which is the big thing.

"The problem is when you have a losing streak and a disappointing year, with each training session the pressure gets a little bit more, but it actually feels as if there is a clean slate now.

"There has got to be a mood of optimism. If you look at how Wasps, Leicester and ourselves went in the Heineken Cup last week, we've got good players - a lot of good players.

"I am generally happy with how things are going. I am enjoying getting the ball in my hands and getting a good off-load game going.

"I just feel really good at the moment. I had an excellent pre-season and I haven't got any injury niggles so, touching every piece of wood around, hopefully it will stay that way."