While admitting he is much more relaxed second time around, British & Irish Lions prop Dan Cole insists the disappointment of 2011 is spurring him on ahead of another England World Cup assault.
England’s last World Cup campaign saw Cole and co bow out to France at the quarter-final stage thanks to a 19-12 defeat – their New Zealand adventure blighted by off-field problems.
However, despite the outcome Cole believes that having been through the experience four years ago, he is now more prepared to sink his teeth into this year’s tournament.
But the 28-year-old, who went on to feature in all three Tests for the British & Irish Lions in 2013, has warned his World Cup rivals that this doesn’t mean he is taking his foot off the pedal.
“The main difference is probably just that you feel a bit more comfortable," Cole told the England Rugby website.
“You are aware of the pressures that come with leading up to a World Cup. You know what to expect from the training camp, for example, because you’ve been through it once already.
“Excitement is just the same, if not greater, because those of us that were there last time didn’t have the greatest experience.
"We expect this time round to be much better and you want it more because you’ve already been at one.
“This chance doesn’t come around very often and after underperforming at the last World Cup, we want to get this one totally right.
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