England’s Six Nations triumph is just the start, says captain Owen Farrell

The triumph at the Stadio Olimpico came 12 months after being overwhelmed by the Springboks in Yokohama

Owen Farrell admits the importance of England clinching the Six Nations title a year after being crushed by South Africa in the World Cup final.

Victory over Italy in Rome sealed the third Championship crown of the Eddie Jones era a fortnight before their Autumn Nations Cup campaign begins against Georgia. The triumph at the Stadio Olimpico came 12 months after being overwhelmed by the Springboks in Yokohama.

"It is important to kick on. Definitely. Obviously winning a trophy is a by-product of that," Farrell said. "Winning trophies is an outcome of making sure the boys come in and get together and kick on as a group.

"I feel like we are going in that direction. The most exciting thing is that we still have loads more left in us. The most exciting thing about the performance against Italy was that I thought we prepared really well and we got some big bits right but at the same time it felt as if there was a lot more in us. A lot more.

"That's really exciting moving forward into this next competition and through to next weekend. It was good to get another trophy with this group and perform as we did throughout the Six Nations, but now is the time to look ahead and really get stuck into it."

PA