Six Nations: Stuart Lancaster says tournament isn’t all about him

After a hugely disappointing World Cup, so far in the RBS 6 Nations, England have beaten Scotland and Italy, lost narrowly to Wales and claimed a win in Paris over France.

Now Ireland await England at Twickenham on Saturday, with the home side still in with a slim chance of the championship.

Lancaster is a contender to be coach on a permanent basis but said: “I’ve tended to focus all energy on getting ready for the game really so I’ve not put too much thought into the next steps or what the future might hold. It has been about preparing the team really.

Although Lancaster has been widely praised, he said: “I don’t think it’s about me. The assistant coaches – Andy [Farrell] and Graham [Rowntree] – have been outstanding. The management team, the majority of whom went to the World Cup, have rolled their sleeves up and really committed to this new journey.

“And the players themselves have been brilliant, you couldn’t fault their effort.”

Winger David Strettle has returned to the team in place of Charlie Sharples after recovering from a sternum injury. Strettle’s inclusion is the only change to the starting XV but Lancaster has made one change on the bench, with Bath hooker Lee Mears set for his first appearance of the championship in place of the injured Rob Webber.

Ireland carry plenty of attacking threat and Lancaster said: “It’s going to be a great game on Saturday. We’re very excited to be playing back at Twickenham but also against a high-quality Ireland side who are probably a bit unlucky themselves not to be going for the grand slam.

“It’ll be a great occasion and we’re looking forward to it.”

Ireland have won on three of their previous four visits to Twickenham and Rob Kearney this week argued their dominance of the fixture is purely because they are a superior team.

Lancaster would not acknowledge that, but said: “They’re a good side. Ireland will know enough about us to recognise we’re a slightly different side that has played previously.

England: B Foden (Northampton Saints); C Ashton (Northampton Saints), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), B Barritt (Saracens), D Strettle (Saracens); O Farrell (Saracens), L Dickson (Northampton Saints); A Corbisiero (London Irish), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), M Botha (Saracens), G Parling (Leicester Tigers), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Morgan (Scarlets).

Substitutes: L Mears (Bath Rugby), M Stevens (Saracens), T Palmer (Stade Francais), P Dowson (Northampton Saints), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers), C Hodgson (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins).