Vickery calls for commitment

Phil Vickery has called for 100 percent commitment from his England side.

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

Phil Vickery has issued his first rallying cry as England captain as he called for his men to use the pain of their prolonged slump to fire them up for a successful Six Nations campaign.

Since winning the World Cup in 2003 England have been in consistent decline, and have in fact lost 18 of their 30 Tests since beating Australia in that famous final in Sydney.

Vickery takes over from Martin Corry as regular captain to lead the England side out at Twickenham on Saturday against Scotland, saying that he expects all his players to give their all for the cause.

"I expect people to give 100 percent, show they are really committed to the cause and have bought into what our coaches want us to do," said Vickery.

"There is no substitute for hard work, but alone it's not enough. You have to be passionate, you have to feel the same pain as the supporters when your country does not succeed."

Vickery says there is no time for excuses for England's dreadful run of form, and the Wasps prop is desperate to turn things around.

"We all realise things have been pretty poor," added Vickery.

"People can try to find excuses but the truth is we under-performed, it was just not good enough. I'm not claiming there are any magic answers, just a totally positive attitude.

"Having the title 'captain' is not enough for me on its own. I want to be in a winning England team, an England team to make the English people proud again."

Vickery will overcome an ankle injury to lead England out for the third time in all, but his first as regular England skipper, with his 50th cap adding an extra gloss on the occasion.

His achievement has come despite a number of injuries and three back operations, so Vickery is determined to enjoy every minute.

"The on-going conditioning and strength work I must undertake will continue forever more.

"There have been a lot of low points but they make you realise how much you love the game and how much you want it back.

"I am proud of my country and I desperately want to help put us back on top.

"The Scotland boys will be desperate to repeat last season's result when they relieved us of the Calcutta Cup.

"We'll also walk tall and set about starting a new era for England by winning a trophy."