By Jason Humphries
DURBAN, June 5 (Reuters) – It is time for England to move on
from their exploits in this year’s Six Nations and build on
their good start under coach Stuart Lancaster, lock Geoff
Parling said on Tuesday.
England finished second in the Six Nations losing only once,
to eventual champions Wales, confounding many experts who felt
the team would struggle in Lancaster’s first series in charge.
“It is important to move on from the Six Nations. We
exceeded a lot of people’s expectations in the Six Nations but
we didn’t actually win, we came second,” Parling told reporters
in Durban where England play South Africa on June 9 in the first
of three tests.
“We want to strive to win those competitions but now we are
moving on from there, it is about building and trying to get
better.
“There is no better opportunity, especially for the
forwards, than to try and do it here (South Africa). We don’t
want to talk about the Six Nations anymore, we want to move on
and talk about having a successful tour,” he explained.
England have not beaten the Springboks in South Africa since
a 27-22 victory in Bloemfontein in 2000.
However, South Africa will be playing their first test under
coach Heyneke Meyer and the squad will only have had five days
together before clash but Parling said he and his team mates
were not thinking too far ahead.
“I don’t think we can get too far ahead of ourselves because
it is going to be difficult,” the 28-year-old said.
“There are a lot of familiar faces in the South African
squad so they will know each other well. It is certainly an
opportunity to come to what is a very difficult place to play
rugby and try and be successful. But we are under no illusions
that it is going to be very difficult,” he added.
Much has been made of the physical squad that Meyer has
chosen but Parling said England would not be overawed.
“You can say that we are still a pretty young pack in terms
of experience and playing together but you can see the character
in the team. You see the way Chris Robshaw has led the team this
season and I’m sure we’ve got more than enough character in the
squad.”
(Editing By Alison Wildey)
