De Glanville to defence of Rowell: Rugby Union

Jack Rowell's enviable record in Five Nations rugby - seven victories and one 11th hour defeat in eight starts - hardly leaves the England coach in need of a knight in shining armour, but that did not stop Phil De Glanville riding to the rescue on a white charger yesterday.

Clearly annoyed by the tide of criticism that has threatened to engulf Rowell in recent weeks, the England captain pushed tomorrow's match with Scotland to the back of his mind and concentrated on mounting a stern defence of his old Bath colleague. Referring to the depth charge planted by both Geoff Cooke and Dick Best, who shared the national coaching duties before Rowell's appointment in 1994, De Glanville said: "I think these people need to take a more careful look at their calendars.

"I really don't know why they are trying to push for cracks that don't exist. In particular, I don't understand why they say these things two or three days before a major international, especially when they have been involved in the England set-up themselves and are fully aware of how disruptive this sort of thing can be."

Following on from Best's verbal assault on Rowell before the friendly with Italy in November, Cooke suddenly appeared this week to accuse his successor of talking "mumbo-jumbo". De Glanville set about Cooke with a relish, commenting: "We are perfectly clear as to how Jack wants us to play and everything he says makes sense, both to me and to the rest of the squad. This team is completely behind Jack, it's as simple as that."

The bad-mouthing of Rowell was not the only thing De Glanville chose to get off his chest yesterday. He also expressed his bitter frustration at a disturbing recent trend of Twickenham crowds to hiss and whistle at any decision to kick for goal rather than run the ball.

"Yes, I feel aggrieved about it," he said. "International rugby is all about winning, about accumulating points as and when the opportunity arises. If we're awarded a penalty within range against the Scots, we'll kick it; what is more, I'd expect true rugby supporters to understand that. No one remembers the style of a performance five years down the line, but they do remember the final result."

Given the Scots' ability to slow opposition possession to a standstill, De Glanville and his team are keen to see the match referee, New Zealand's Paddy O'Brien, take a firm stand against ball-killing tactics. The English suspect that O'Brien's reading of the rule book will be crucial tomorrow.

"Mr O'Brien refereed last weekend's Cup match between Gloucester and Bristol and the feedback I've had from players involved in that game is that unlike many southern hemisphere referees, he blows very quickly when the ball-carrier goes to ground," De Glanville said. "We've got to be aware of that."

England's various injury scares all proved groundless yesterday as the full 21-man squad took part in training. Only Lawrence Dallaglio looked in any way compromised; the Wasps flanker complained of a dead leg and finished the session with his left knee in a brace.