England legends anticipate thrilling Wembley clashes
With the kick-off of the Rugby World Cup on the horizon excitement is building throughout England.
The hosts will be looking for a repeat of their 2003 success when a dramatic last gasp kick from Jonny Wilkinson saw them lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Despite a superb victory over Ireland in the build up to Friday’s opener against Fiji, Stuart Lancaster’s men remain second favourites behind current holders New Zealand who begin their campaign against Argentina at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
Two heroes of England’s 2003 success Neil Back and Richard Hill admit they are intrigued to see how the reigning champions fare in, what they perceive to be, a tricky opener.
“I think it is New Zealand’s toughest group game and to have it first up would not be ideal in their planning,” said Back.
“That will be a huge game to kick off the games at Wembley and you are going to see a team that can go all the way to win it.”
Hill was full of praise for the All Blacks’ opponents who he believes to be an emerging force in Rugby Union.
“Argentina have been the package that have come through over the past two or three world cups,” said the 2003 World Cup winner.
“Certainly in 2007 in France they made a huge impact and getting an away victory in South Africa this summer was a huge statement of intent.
“New Zealand will definitely see this as the major game of their group stages.”
Hill admits he is eagerly anticipating both Sunday’s game and the Wembley clash between Ireland and Romania a week later and expects the national football stadium to prove a perfect setting for international rugby.
“This is a cracking stadium and it is part of our heritage.” He said during his visit to Wembley as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.
“I grew up watching FA Cup Finals and Challenge Cup Finals on TV and really getting into the hype of the whole day so it is a very iconic stadium for any young Englishman growing up.”
Back is also excited by Wembley’s Rugby World Cup fixtures and hopes that Ireland will be cheered on by a passionate crowd when they run out under the arch on 27 September.
“Ireland need the crowd behind them,” he said.
“Romania are a growing and developing nation but Ireland need to get off to a winning start off the back of two defeats going into the competition so the support will be invaluable.
“Ireland are one of the top teams with a genuine chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy.”
But what do the duo think of England’s chances of winning the tournament?
“Whilst it wouldn’t have been the plan to lose in Paris I think that added pressure of not wanting to go into the tournament with two losses will have given the players a better understanding of the scrutiny they will come under,” said Hill.
“They handled it incredibly well, in particular the first 20 minutes [against Ireland in England’ final warm up match] where they showed a good statement of intent and good ball retention.
“We managed to handle the Irish game plan much better than we did when we played in Dublin earlier in the year and that’s a testament to how the team are progressing. “
Neil Back echoed those sentiments.
“Last time out we dismantled a world class Irish team so that would have filled them with lots of confidence,” he added.
“They will take that momentum into the tournament and I believe they will get off to a winning start against Fiji.”