PHIL Vickery has told England to make better use of their “embarrassing” array of talent or risk defeat by a rejuvenated Wales.
Eddie Jones' England were beaten by Scotland in round one and failed to hit top gear in victory over Italy. Wales haven't been at their best either, but have beaten both Ireland and Scotland.
Jones last week said his team have struggled to hit the levels of aggression he requires because of the absence of a crowd and Vickery sympathises.
But the 2003 World Cup winner expects a lot more from England, who he says lack variety.
Vickery told TRP: “England look very samey. That's not always a bad thing, but it is often seen that way when you're losing. I look at the talent England have and they have the most amazing players.
“The depth of talent in England compared to other nations is embarrassing. The Simmonds brothers, Joe and Sam, are not even in the England squad, but it looks to me like England are always doing the same thing.
“I'm a proud Englishman and 90 per cent of what England are doing is really good. But they need to keep improving because they're going to come up against a stubborn team in Cardiff.”
On calls for Owen Farrell to be dropped Vickery adds: “I was in the supermarket last week and a guy shouted at me across the aisle ‘That Owen Farrell is rubbish, he needs the sack!'
“Owen is a fantastic rugby player and has proven himself. He is going out there and implementing the plan the coaches want. There is no point just blaming Owen, all the players need to take responsibility. Everyone hides behind the team when it suits.
“They need to stand up to be counted and have some accountability.”
Tighthead Vickery won 73 England caps, captained his country, and played in five Lions Tests. He won six of his nine matches against Wales but does not necessarily predict another English success next weekend.
He said: “It's going to be tough for England. Wales stuck in during their first game with Ireland and while up at Murrayfield people talked about another sending off, again they stayed in the contest even though they didn't play particularly well.
“You look at Louis Rees- Zammit and just go ‘Wow'. “Then you talk about unsung heroes. Look at Wyn Jones. For me, he's the best rugby player in Wales at the moment.
“Wales have got a settled squad which has been together a while and that can make a big difference.”
On Scarlets prop Jones, Vickery added: “Wyn has a good rugby brain. If you watch him play, he knows when to get involved in the breakdown. He's not just a grizzly scrummager.
“He's got a brain and is using it. He can be a link player, can pass, and see an attacking play. He's an allround, complete player.
That's a wonderful thing to be able to say about a prop.
“I think there will be more improvements to come from England and they are definitely capable of winning in Cardiff. But have we seen the level of performance it will take to do that in the Six Nations so far? No, we haven't.
“Wales can get better too and will take confidence from two dogged performances.
“I can finally see the hangover from the Warren Gatland era gone. I don't know Wayne Pivac, but I like what he's doing with the team and if I was a betting man, I'd put my money on Wales.
“I think it's set up for a classic encounter but to think England will play in Cardiff without the fans, it's just not the same. Wearing the English rose there is bad enough, but one of my greatest memories is playing there with Land of my Fathers blaring out.”
By ALEX BYWATER
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