British and Irish Lions prop Dan Cole insists England can now claim to be a force to be reckoned with at Twickenham again, after dominant performances of late on home turf.
With the World Cup on the horizon, losses against South Africa and 2017 Lions tour hosts New Zealand in the Autumn suggested Twickenham may not be the fortress it once was for the Red Rose.
But England have since got back to winning ways with five convincing home victories on the bounce, including putting 50 points on the board against France last weekend.
And the 27-year-old tighthead, who came off the bench in all three of the Lions’ tests against Australia in 2013, admits the crowd played their part too in helping the England rediscover their swagger at Twickenham.
“Going into the World Cup, if you look at England’s performances at Twickenham, and the way Twickenham responded, we will be a difficult team to play against,” Cole told the Leicester Mercury.
“That crowd against France was the loudest I have heard, I thought the roof would come off. If we get that for the World Cup, it will be like having an extra man.
“Beating France by 20 points is no mean feat, and it was a great feeling also to get my 50th cap for England.
“At the time I was just focused on the game, but looking back in the future years I’ll take a lot of pride from that moment.”
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