England captain Jason Robinson yesterday gave a vote of confidence to his under-pressure team-mates before Sunday's Six Nations clash with Ireland.
The world champions, who have lost their opening two matches in the championship, arrived in Dublin yesterday without flanker Lewis Moody who has an infected finger. The Leicester man may join the rest of the team today but his chances of playing are rated "very slim" by coach Andy Robinson.
Nevertheless Jason Robinson remains confident in the ability of his team to stop Ireland's Grand Slam hopes. "There is no lack of confidence in the team," the Sale Sharks player insisted.
If Moody is ruled out, Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell will move into the starting line-up with Sale's Chris Jones taking his place on the replacements' bench, but Robinson took it all in his stride.
"We have had the injuries and everything else but I still believe in this team," the former Wigan rugby league star added. "I've no doubts in my mind about this team. I know if we get our game right we will win the games."
Robinson described the clash with Ireland as "a massive challenge" but, despite England's slump, he has no regrets about stepping in as captain after Jonny Wilkinson - Lawrence Dallaglio's original successor - was struck down by injury. "None at all. It's something I am enjoying despite our opening results," he insisted.
Robinson admitted it was hugely deflating to lose to Welsh and French sides who, by his own admission, were not playing particularly well. "If we were losing these games by 10, 16 points, then you could say 'right, we're not good enough' but I feel we have got the team to win these games and it is by our own doing that we have lost, so we need to put the game together for 80 minutes.
Robinson knows England cannot afford to concede the penalties which enabled Dimitri Yachvili to boot France to victory at Twickenham two weeks ago and that any repeat in Dublin will be punished by Ronan O'Gara.
"It is an issue we have addressed this week. Obviously our discipline, especially within kicking range, is something we need to make sure we sort out," he added.
"Playing against teams like France and the kickers they have, making those mistakes will be punished. We just cannot do that, especially this week with O'Gara, we cannot give them easy points."
If it comes down to kicking penalties the captain is happy to place his faith in Sale team-mate Charlie Hodgson and has dismissed the criticism levelled at him, saying: "To be honest with you, I'm getting sick of it. I've played with Charlie week in and week out and he's one of the best players around.
"I've no problems with Charlie's kicking. Yes, he had an off-day - but don't we all? I've got every confidence in him doing well for us this weekend."
