Memories 
/ Will Greenwood / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
"That's my try!"
Will reflects on a memorable score against the Scots and explains why a team that can absorb change is often a winning team...
England v Scotland at Twickenham is always a great occasion but, as a player, I used to really enjoy the trip north of the border. That may have a lot to do with the fact that I never lost at Murrayfield but it was always a great place to go to, a fantastic stadium, filled with a passionate crowd. There was always a top night out in Edinburgh afterwards too.
I played against Scotland at Twickenham in 2001 and 2003. I scored a memorable try in the '01 fixture which was all about Jason Robinson's pace and finesse. Robbo came off the bench for only his second international appearance; I'd seen him play against Italy a fortnight before and noted how quick he was in training but he really was an explosive talent. If he took off there was no point in trying to keep up with him. The key was to run down the middle in the hope that he would make the most of my support. That's exactly what happened and I scored between the sticks, untouched from 50 yards. Of course, I had Austin Healy in my ear, saying: "That was my try."
Robbo became an important player in a great team but one of our key strengths under Clive Woodward was the way we absorbed changes. That challenge now faces the current England side.
Changes are part of a winning team's progress. While most people were in agreement in 2003 about the starting team, the side was never adversely affected by late changes, injuries, or week to week form. The ability to absorb change is a strength.
This weekend, Johnno is likely to make changes, if not to the starting line-up then certainly as the game against Scotland progresses. International rugby is no longer a 15 man game, it's all about building a strong 30 man squad with no weak links. Nowadays, you need two teams.
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Will reflects on a memorable score against the Scots and explains why a team that can absorb change is often a winning team......
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