- Flanker Joe Worsley is looking forward to facing Scotland’s ‘excellent’ back row
- I’m out to stake a claim – Deacon
England and London Wasps flanker Joe Worsley is relishing the challenge of facing Scotland’s back row at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Worsley has been restored to England’s starting line up after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the autumn and will win his 76th cap in Edinburgh.
Speaking to RFU.com ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash, Worsley said Scotland’s all Glasgow back row has been superb in this season’s RBS 6 Nations.
He said: "I’m sure Andy Robinson’s helped influence Scotland, plus they’ve developed some really good players in recent years. They’ve got good ball carriers and people who want to play a bit, rather than play the percentages.
"Glasgow in particular have come on leaps and bounds recently and a large part of that’s down to their back row, who’ve also been excellent in this year’s 6 Nations.
"It’s a challenge that I’m very much looking forward to. We know we’ll need to up our game to compete, though."
Worsley, a British and Irish Lions tourist in South Africa in 2009, added that England’s strength in depth is a sign of progress.
"I feel we are developing and improving," he said.
"The player base we have to pick from is so much better than a few years ago, which can only be a good thing."
I want to stake a claim – Deacon
Louis Deacon is Martin Johnson’s other change to the starting line up against Scotland and the Leicester Tigers lock is keen to make his case for a regular slot alongside captain Steve Borthwick in the second row.
Deacon played for 75 minutes in the defeat to Ireland and is determined to take advantage of appearances in back-to-back RBS 6 Nations matches.
"Murrayfield’s a difficult place to go and play," he said.
"We’re looking to bounce back from the disappointments of the Ireland game, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us, but one we’re all very much looking forward to. On a personal front, it’s a good opportunity for me to stake a claim – I’ve had limited opportunity in the 6 Nations so far."
Deacon echoed Worsley’s comments on the quality of England’s squad, adding that the reserves have the confidence and ability to come in and do a job for England when required.
He said: "I think the squad as a whole is becoming nice and settled. There are guys like myself who can hopefully fit in and do a good job when needed. That seems to be the situation not just in my position, but across the board – there’s plenty of strength in depth now.
"The guys are really getting to know each other and despite the defeat to Ireland, I think things are going well."