Sam Underhill warns England team-mates not to get carried away against Australia
The old foes meet at Twickenham on Saturday for the first time since the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sam Underhill has urged England to strike the right emotional pitch in their battle of manhood against Australia
At Twickenham on Saturday the old rivals lock horns for the first time since the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup when Eddie Jones’ men emerged emphatic 40-16 winners.
Underhill was among the stars as England’s charge to the final truly lifted off and while he knows the value of passion, he understands it can be a double-edged sword.
“There’s a massive bit of competition there. It brings an emotional edge to the game, which in a contact sport is always a useful thing to have,” the Bath flanker said.
“There is room for emotion in sport but there is already enough of it when you have got 30 fairly testosterone-fuelled blokes on the pitch. I don’t think you need much more emotion in the first place.
“Australia are a tough team. They’re aggressive, physical, they contest the breakdown a lot and they are a dangerous attacking team.
“When they’ve got the ball they’ve got brilliant individuals who can break tackles. Michael Hooper is one of the guys, as a young player, I would look up to.
“He has been outstanding for a long time so it’s great to play against a guy like him.”
Under Eddie Jones, England have developed a remarkable record against Australia that now stands at an immaculate seven wins from as many appearances and that sequence is expected to be extended at Twickenham on Saturday.
“I haven’t played them seven times so for me it’s not something I think about too much,” Underhill said.
“I don’t think form matters too much. It’s a bit of a hot-hand fallacy, you’ve got to turn up on the day.
“What someone has done in a previous game doesn’t matter too much in my opinion, you’re only as good as your next game and that’s the attitude we’re taking into it.”
Jones on Thursday morning names his team to face Australia with Owen Farrell expected to be restored at fly-half after missing the Tonga rout because of a false-positive Covid test.
“Owen’s a brilliant guy to have around. He’s very influential, he’s a very motivational character, he works hard, drives people around him and he brings a good sense of calm,” Underhill said.