Confidence is high but Wood stays grounded

England had not won an RBS Six Nations game in Dublin since 2003, when Sir Clive Woodward’s team clinched the grand slam before going on to win the Rugby World Cup.

Stuart Lancaster’s young England team will not allow themselves to even contemplate emulating those giants of 2003, not with a wounded French side due at Twickenham on February 23.

But the manner in which England’s young team passed the latest big test of their character has given Wood the belief that anything is possible.

“I don’t think there’s any limits to what we can achieve,” said Wood. “We have to keep focusing on the next job and stay very grounded.

“All our victories so far have been built on that intensity and hard work. They are not built on individual flair or individual talent, they are built on togetherness and the culture that underpins that.”

Asked whether England can win the grand slam, Wood said: “I like to think so. If we get things right, we’re going to be a very difficult side to beat. France will be hurting, Wales are finding some form and will be tough at the Millennium Stadium and Italy are showing what they are capable of, so we’ll keep our feet on the ground.”