Dallaglio warns England to beware
LONDON, England -- Skipper Lawrence Dallaglio says England will be more of a target than usual in this season's Six Nations grand slam title defense after winning the World Cup.
Dallaglio, speaking ahead of Sunday's opener against Italy in Rome added: "Everyone will lift their game against us. I'm under no illusion about that."
And the 31-year-old Wasps No.8, named skipper when Martin Johnson retired, warned: "I know how I would play against the world champions. I would be at their throats from the start." .
Dallaglio whose father Vincenzo, an Italian, will be the squad's official interpreter in Rome, added: "The game gives us the chance to set our standards again after the World Cup. This is our first match as world champions and every team will be looking for us.
"Everyone in the squad realises the rugby world will be watching England but hopefully we have the experience and ability to handle it."
He said the performance of Italian teams in this season's European competitions proved that John Kirwan's men were no longer content to be Six Nations makeweights.
"They had a difficult time during the World Cup in that their schedule gave them a big mountain to climb," he said.
"For those of us who have been playing against their provincial sides in the European Cup competitions their improvement is there to see. Their results are getting better and better."
