Fullback Mike Brown hopes the momentum gathering behind England’s bid to replace the All Blacks at the summit of world rugby will accelerate this autumn.
South Africa launch world No.2 England’s home campaign on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), with Fiji, Argentina and Australia also visiting Twickenham on successive weekends.
Coach Eddie Jones transformed England from World Cup flops to grand slam champions and masters of the Wallabies, who were subdued 3-0 in June, in the space of six months.
Brown insists they are now commanding respect, with the team feeding off results that have lifted them to second in the world rankings.
“We are building some sort of aura. Teams can see what we are about and there is still so much more that we can achieve,” Brown said.
“It’s great if, externally, we build something and people realise that we are here, but in the squad it just builds confidence and keeps pushing us forward towards the ultimate prize, which is being No.1 in the world and winning World Cups.
“Whenever you are part of a team that keeps winning, you do get that momentum and get on a roll.”
If all four visitors to Twickenham are dispatched over the coming weekends, England will have equalled their own record of 14 successive victories.
Jones has pieced together a nine-Test winning run since replacing Stuart Lancaster and has targeted a flawless record for 2016.
“It would be amazing if we did that. We want to win every game and we believe we can do that,” Brown said.
“It would be amazing to do that but we are just focused on our next game, which is South Africa.
“That will be a huge challenge – we haven’t beaten them for so long and no-one in our squad has ever beaten them.
“Eddie is looking at the bigger picture, but we are all fully focused on that first game.”
All 34 players who trained in Portugal last week convened at the squad’s Surrey training base on Sunday afternoon.
Lock Courtney Lawes will be given until Tuesday to prove his fitness from a knee injury, while Mako Vunipola was struggling early last week because of a hip problem.
Dreadly
Guest
Surely everyone doesn't hate England. There must be someone, somewhere, that likes them......maybe. His statement is a bit OTT though, as most teams are rebuilding after the world cup but after the humiliation of last year i guess England need to convince themselves they are going ok. Another year or 2 of similar results and they may have claims to an "aura".
Timbo (L)
Guest
Aspiration is great, I admire it A little bit of realism is required though. Let us not kid ourselves, Daylight is Number 2 and possibly 3. Full credit to the Irish but they weren't playing a full strength Kiwi team. Dagg, Whitelock and Retallic make significant contributions to the game and probably would have made it a lot closer.
Timbo
Guest
Yes; Haley is in the senior squad. Young lad who many astute observers think is going to have an impact over the next couple of years. Personally, I'd like to see Watson have a run at full-back, but his injury has put paid to that for a while. I think this will be Brown's last season as first choice FB.
RugbyNovice
Guest
Yeah it would probably be wise. There's a guy who played on the Saxons tour called Haley I think who seemed to have potential. Don't know if he's anywhere near the senior squad though.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Cannot always gain points for a win, whether home or away. Eg when NZ played Argentina, from World Rugby, a win by any margin did nothing for NZ, only an Argentina win could involve points being gained: It is impossible for New Zealand to increase their 6.81-point lead at the top of the rankings even if they win emphatically in Buenos Aires, a consequence of the 12.37 points between the sides after the weighting of home advantage is applied for Argentina. A first ever win for Argentina over the All Blacks would come with a two-point reward though
Chivas
Guest
Why didn't you start with I'm going to act all immature. The rest would have flowed so much better :-)
Chivas
Guest
Does that mean that posts like yours are arrogant, because you seem to be always starting a conversation with "What".. you have no idea, you are dreaming, you are full of it, you don't know what you are talking about... then go on t tell the person exactly what it is you think and they should be thinking. I assume that is why you took the name"What..." because it pretty much sums up your view on many of the posts you respond to, which you tend to open with before kindly sharing your own. And for the record I am not invalidating your comment as I think you have a point, just that perhaps sometimes it is easy to point out the speck in your brothers eye while ignoring the log in your own.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Geez What!, I've heard from various sources that the ABs want to stay at no 1, now how arrogant and self centred can you get.
John R
Roar Guru
Thanks guys (Tman, PeterK). She's fair comprehensive the old points system alright!
What!
Guest
Yeah he was fantastic for a while there. Won player of the year at club level too. Hes a pretty good player. Well rounded, solid. I think Eng should be developing a playmaking fullback though.
What!
Guest
What!?... Eng player in team ranked number 2 says he hopes the team can push on this autumn towards their goal of becoming number 1!? What an absolute monster! Who does he think he is? This will not stand! Thats it! Im going to act all imature and mock Eng, what he said, how he said it and him personally. Fancy a player in the 2nd ranked team saying he hoped they could keep up the momentum theyve had over the last 10 months. Why I ougta.... Im so miffed! Mike youre....arrrgh!
What!
Guest
Im sorry but aiming to be number 1 is not counting chickens or putting the cart before the horse. Especially when YOURE NUMBER 2!!!! Perhaps they should be aiming to stay number 2? Would that be OK or would you guys try and suggest thats arrogant or presumptuous?
Lara
Guest
If the team is developing an aura, you can just imagine what Eddie's developing over his head.
What!
Guest
What did NZ say before they lost to Ire Taylorman? Anyway, I cant stand all this stuff. Some pick holes in something that was said or how it was said because theyre angry about somebody suggesting theyre aiming for number 1. Some suggest theyre arrogant for saying theyre want to beat NZ and get number 1 which is funny because its far more arrogant to label somebody arrogant for saying they think they can best you tbh. Some just let it all hang out and attack. I say "bring it on" because England are shaping up as the side most likely to threaten NZs spot with some fantastic talent coming through.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
...Brown insists they are now commanding respect, ...REALLY!! and the AURA nonsense...no wonder everyone hates England...they should just hold the tongue and let results speak for themselves....I believe SA and AUS will beat them on this EYOT...
RugbyNovice
Guest
I wouldn't say I have serious know how but I've watched a lot of his games - he had a period around 2014 when he was absolutely incredible. It seems like it was just a run of really good form though, and he hasn't been that good since. Does tend to break the first tackle though.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Ireland and NZ swapped 2 points. John R - Your information is incorrect. You can get points for beating a team below you even at home. It all depends how far below you in points terms they are ranked.
Timbo (L)
Guest
Horse before, Cart. Chickens Counted All games are loseable, and each will take a toll on the players with potential for attrition. SA Look a bit off their game, but like Australia have been bashed by top teams. Argentina won a first half against NZ and have some powerful forwards. Fiji could surprise them and run around their backs. England were at their best when Australia were at their worst. They were still relatively close games. I think it will be a tough contest. The poms are only 2.5 points above Australia. 2 losses will relegate them to 3rd, if they are to Australia and SA, it could be 4th I am not saying it will happen, but it is a genuine possibility and the bookies won't give you long odds.
taylorman
Roar Guru
There you go John... in case you want to take it all in ? http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings/explanation
John R
Roar Guru
Can't say I know too much about this at all. But someone on here (I'm pretty sure it was 'Shane D'?) explained it as thus: You only get points for beating a team ranked higher than you, or when you beat a team that has home ground advantage.