Any manner of win will do for Catt

Sunday 10 March 2013

Mike Catt admitted it is "incredible" that England are even being talked of in the context of winning a Grand Slam just 13 months after head coach Stuart Lancaster began his rebuilding project.

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His team will tighten their grip on the RBS 6 Nations title and tee up a shot at a first Grand Slam in a decade if they can extend their unbeaten record against Italy today.

England's average victory over the Azzurri at Twickenham is 48-11 and two years ago they ran in eight tries, with Chris Ashton scoring four in a thumping 59-13 victory.Catt, the attacking skills coach, would naturally be delighted if England could repeat that feat but he warned against expecting another Twickenham rout."When you look at where this team has come from, it is incredible," Catt said. "You are expecting six or seven tries tomorrow, we have only been together for a year. That expectation is there and it is brilliant."But this Italian team are a hell of a side at the moment. If we have to kick every penalty to win games we will take that, because that is what the opposition allow you to do."England displayed a new level to their attacking game as they opened their campaign with a comprehensive victory over Scotland at Twickenham.The wins against Ireland and France were founded more on character, high-pressure defence, game management and kicking penalties, but the performances left plenty for England to work on.Catt added: "They were both massive, massive wins. But we spoke after the France game about our accuracy and the players were pretty harsh on themselves."England have made five changes, with Toby Flood replacing the injured Owen Farrell at fly-half and Danny Care given a start at scrum-half.Up front, James Haskell has returned at blindside flanker and Mako Vunipola will make his first Test start at loosehead prop with Tom Youngs at hooker.

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Any manner of win will do for Catt

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