Easter keen to make mark

The Harlequins number eight missed the November series against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand after suffering a hamstring injury but hopes his experience will be able to help the team in the upcoming Six Nations.

Easter said: "We are the guys out on the pitch and making those decisions. You can't be looking up to the stands. You have to be good enough to change it. If I feel I can make a suggestion, I will."

Easter is cut from a similar cloth as boss Martin Johnson.

The England manager's immediate response to questions about the attacking nature of his team was to say: "We will have to defend as well."

Easter's thinking is along the same lines. If England become too predictable in constantly looking to exploit the pace in their back division in their RBS 6 Nations opener on Saturday then Wales will pounce. But he believes Johnson and the England management have made the right decision in ditching the straight-jacket tactics of the autumn.

The England players had persuaded Johnson to do so in a frank meeting after the squad was widely criticised for a lack of attacking ambitions.

Veteran lock Simon Shaw later revealed players were fearful of stepping outside the rigid gameplan and he complained publicly that a fear of losing was "strangling" England.

Easter said: "This has been the best training camp since I have been involved. Everyone is happy with what is going on.

"We have picked a side, now let's use their strengths as individuals and play heads-up rugby. That does not just mean giving it to the back three every time because that becomes too predictable. We have to be able to challenge in all areas. But if someone sees something then, bang, it is on."