Rugby star Maro Itoje warns that England will win in ‘whatever manner required’ as critics call for more tries
MARO ITOJE has warned England will do whatever it takes to win the World Cup.
Steve Borthwick’s warriors were the only winning side not to score an opening weekend try, with George Ford kicking every point in their 27-10 triumph over Argentina.
Pundits and fans have urged the Red Rose to change that against Japan in Nice tonight.
But Itoje, 28, insisted: “We will do what it needs to win — by any means necessary.
"Obviously, we would like to score tries and score loads of tries but for me it is by any means necessary — as long as we win.
“Every game will present different challenges. The task is to find ways to get on the positive side of the result.”
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Head coach Borthwick agreed with lock Itoje and added: “We didn’t get across the try line last week but we played in the manner required.
“When you get to this level, games are tight and players have to find a way to get an advantage, one way or another.
“These guys are big players who rise to the biggest occasions.
“And I expect them to keep doing that.”
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Hooker Jamie George, 32, said: “The great English rugby teams I watched growing up based themselves around a great defence and set-piece.
“As long as we are doing that, our attacking game will flow off the back of it.
“We have players who can do special things. You have just seen the start of us in this World Cup.
“We don’t want to have any regrets coming away from this.”
