The bulk of Andy Farrell’s first-choice players are poised for their first Test appearances since clinching a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Leinster lock Ryan, who will skipper his country in the absence of the suspended Johnny Sexton, insists the contest is far from a warm-up match and feels the world’s top-ranked nation must “bring our A-game”.“It’s the first game for a lot of us of this summer and playing England at home, there’s always a little bit of pressure.“This has never been a warm-up game for us. It’s been very much a Test match, that’s the way we’ve prepared for this game all week.
“We need to make sure that we take a step forward for the group and we put in a performance that will give us confidence with the World Cup coming around the corner quickly. We’ll definitely need to bring our A-game.”Farrell described that disjointed display as a “bit clunky” before taking his squad away to Portugal for a week-long training camp.
Ryan believes the Englishman is striking the right balance between hard work and ensuring players “aren’t burning out”.
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