Brad Barritt claims England are refreshed and raring to go ahead of their RBS Six Nations clash with Italy on Sunday. Having won three games on the bounce in this season's championship - culminating in the 23-13 victory over France at Twickenham - England have had a week off ahead of their showdown with the Azzurri. And the 26-year-old centre, who has been in outstanding form for England, believes the break has been good for the squad. "Things have gone very well," Barritt, who will feature in the behind-the-scenes England rugby show 'O2 Inside Line' during the Six Nations, told Sky Sports. "We had a good week last week and then a few days off to relax and recharge the batteries. Now it is a chance to nail down the final preparations ahead of the Italy game. "It was important to have that break, both physically and mentally. There were a few bruised bodies after the France game, while it can be mentally demanding playing three tough Test matches. However the guys have all returned refreshed and ready." FocusAlthough Italy will arrive at Twickenham having already claimed the scalp of France this season, they have never beaten England. Subsequent defeats to Scotland and Wales have also taken the gloss off of the win over Les Bleus - with England big favourites to run away with the victory. However despite the possibility of a Grand Slam showdown against Wales fast approaching on the horizon, Barritt insists the squad remain fully focused on the job in hand. "I think Italy have proved over the last couple of seasons that they can't be underestimated," said Barritt. "We certainly won't be looking past them. We will prepare as we would for any side in the world, you can't afford not to. "We have to take it week by week. Our focus is on Italy for now just as our focus was solely on the France game last time. All our attention has to be on this game." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8544914/Brad-Barritt-looking-forward-to-Six-Nations-clash-with-Italy
Having won three games on the bounce in this season's championship - culminating in the 23-13 victory over France at Twickenham - England have had a week off ahead of their showdown with the Azzurri.
And the 26-year-old centre, who has been in outstanding form for England, believes the break has been good for the squad.
"Things have gone very well," Barritt, who will feature in the behind-the-scenes England rugby show 'O2 Inside Line' during the Six Nations, told Sky Sports.
"We had a good week last week and then a few days off to relax and recharge the batteries. Now it is a chance to nail down the final preparations ahead of the Italy game.
"It was important to have that break, both physically and mentally. There were a few bruised bodies after the France game, while it can be mentally demanding playing three tough Test matches. However the guys have all returned refreshed and ready."
Although Italy will arrive at Twickenham having already claimed the scalp of France this season, they have never beaten England.
Subsequent defeats to Scotland and Wales have also taken the gloss off of the win over Les Bleus - with England big favourites to run away with the victory.
However despite the possibility of a Grand Slam showdown against Wales fast approaching on the horizon, Barritt insists the squad remain fully focused on the job in hand.
"I think Italy have proved over the last couple of seasons that they can't be underestimated," said Barritt.
"We certainly won't be looking past them. We will prepare as we would for any side in the world, you can't afford not to.
"We have to take it week by week. Our focus is on Italy for now just as our focus was solely on the France game last time. All our attention has to be on this game." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8544914/Brad-Barritt-looking-forward-to-Six-Nations-clash-with-Italy