Tom Palmer: Fiji provide a tough challenge for us on Saturday
However, we know we need to consistently defeat the teams from the southern hemisphere. That’s the yardstick for us.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed returning to the UK from France to play for Wasps. We have some great young talent at the club and a number of them are very close to gaining a place in the England squad – and what a fright we gave champions Quins on the first Saturday!
What a week at the FA’s new training centre at St George’s Park, Burton on Trent! The facility is superb – really state-of-the-art in every way. A privilege to be there. Although designed specifically for soccer it offers sportsmen and women of all disciplines an inspirational experience.
The squad certainly responded positively to being there and I am particularly indebted to our physio, Phil Pask, for all his knowledge, hard work and attention to me. Last week I was really worried that a calf muscle injury would rule me out of selection for Saturday’s match. Thanks to his skills and superb treatment I am confident of being fully fit.
The boys will not be underestimating what it takes to beat Fiji on Saturday. You only have to look at the Fijian players currently performing at the highest level all around the world and their history of upsetting the so-called “superior” rugby nations to banish any notions of complacency. They will be physical, fast and unpredictable. We need to match them in all departments.
Log on next week for my “Moment of the Match”
Tom Palmer is writing for Greene King IPA
www.facebook.com/GreeneKingIPA1799
