England’s three-quarters owe it to their forwards to start producing the goods in the upcoming RBS 6 Nations competition, according to British & Irish Lion Mark Cueto.
The Sale Sharks and England wingman – widely regarded as one of the finest finishers in world rugby – cut a peripheral figure during the autumn international series.
Although progress was unquestionably made in the three November Tests, there was also frustration England were unable to produce the sort of incisive back play which apparently comes instinctively to Graham Henry’s All Blacks.
Cueto accepts England’s backs need to improve their performance levels if they are to do justice to the efforts of Martin Corry and his warriors up front.
"The backs didn’t have a crisis meeting or anything like that, but we realised there were things to improve on after the autumn games," Cueto said.
"We’ve got an awesome pack who are going to be a match for anybody. You certainly couldn’t have asked any more from them in the games before Christmas.
"The set-piece was superb and the quick ball was there, so the platform was there for us.
"The forwards are doing their job so it’s up to the backs to step up and make sure we perform on the day. We have the players and we have the ability, it’s just a question of getting the execution right on the day."
