England remind me of 2003 Rugby World Cup winners – former international star explains why

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Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson helped England win the Rugby World Cup in 2003

Martin Johnson famously led a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired England team to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003, beating home favourites Australia 20-17 in extra time.

They would reach the final four years later but have failed to lift the Webb Ellis Cup since.

But Corbisiero, who has 21 Test caps for England and the British & Irish Lions, believes head coach Eddie Jones has added a facet to the team that makes them similar to that team 14 years ago.

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“They’ve got that same swagger and arrogance about them,” Corbisiero told Express Sport.

“The characters in the team aren’t afraid to say what they think.

“A lot of that comes from Eddie.

“In the past, we’ve tried to be a bit too diplomatic.

“We’ve tried to please the press and give them the answers they want.

“But Eddie says what he wants.

“He doesn’t let what the press say affect what goes on in camp.

“And that trickles down to the players through guys like Dylan Hartley, who has led tremendously.

“He really doesn’t care what anyone says.”

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Hartley was named skipper in the aftermath of the disastrous 2015 RWC campaign when Jones was appointed to replace Stuart Lancaster.

The hooker was an unexpected choice in part due to his chequered disciplinary record: he has in total missed more than a year of rugby due to suspension and has only just returned from a six-week ban for dangerous play.

But fellow front-row forward Corbisiero has backed the switch, as much because of the affect it has had on former skipper Chris Robshaw – although the Harlequins flanker is currently out injured.

“Being captain is tough,” Corbisiero added.

“There’s a lot of spotlight on you and a lot is expected of you.

“If Chris Robshaw ever played badly, there was a lot of criticism of the way he was playing.

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England head coach Eddie Jones has added an edge to his team

“But now he’s a little bit out of the limelight and he focuses on his job.

“When he’s allowed to do that, it’s brought the best out of him again.”

***Alex Corbisiero was attending the NFL Super Bowl LI party ahead of this Sunday’s Super Bowl, which will see the New England Patriots face the Atlanta Falcons in Houston this Sunday. You can catch all of the action from 11.20pm on BBC One or Sky Sports 1 from 10.00pm, with kick-off at 11.30pm.***

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