England's Attack Coach Martin Gleeson says England are treating Saturday's crunch Six Nations fixture against Wales as a “quarter final.”
Gleeson said: “If we don't get the result on Saturday we're out, so it's a quarter final.”
Saturday's fixture will see crowds return to Twickenham for the first time in over two years in what Gleeson describes as “a huge game”.
England sit second in the Six Nations table after a loss in Scotland and a win in Italy. However, England know that defeat to Wales will almost certainly mean that they are unable to win the Six Nations Championship this year.
The must-win nature of the next three games means England are effectively playing knockout rugby for the two home fixtures against Wales and Ireland before the final day trip to France.
“It's not group stages anymore for us”, said rugby league great Gleeson.
“So, we have to go into this with that quarter final mentality and we have to get after Wales this week.”
He added: “We know Wales will fight really hard and they will make it really difficult for us.
No fresh injury concerns
England welcome back Manu Tuilagi to the squad following a long term hamstring injury.
Gleeson said: “Manu adds a lot. His physical presence, footwork and leg sped. What he can do, not many other people can do.
“He gives you a different dimension. It's great to have him back in the mix for selection.”
Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi look the likely midfield option this weekend after impressing when they combined in the Autumn internationals.
Gleeson said: “Sladey and Manu played really well in the autumn together. If both are selected I'm sure they will continue to do so.”
Currently, England have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the weekend's clash with Wales. Jack Nowell has recovered from a head injury that forced him off early into the victory over Italy and Sam Simmonds has recovered from a hip injury.
England have been boosted by the return to full training of interim captain Courtney Lawes this week.
“He was back out there today doing what he does and leading by example which was great to see,” said Gleeson.
Who will captain England?
The return of Lawes poses a captaincy decision for Head Coach Eddie Jones to make. The Attack Coach was happy to stay out the way of that decision, jokingly saying: “I'll leave that to Eddie…”
But, Tom Curry has made an instant impression as captain in his first two games. In the wake of Owen Farrell's ankle injury and Courtney Lawes' failure to recover from concussion, Curry was thrust into the limelight to lead England in the Six Nations opener at Murrayfield.
On Tom Curry, Gleeson said: “He's led with his actions. I thought his stint last week against Italy was immense.
“He was all over the place. I think he broke records with his GPS with the amount of work he got through.
“He's been really really good for us. Whether he is captain or not, he'll continue to be a pivotal part of our team.”
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