England fly-half Toby Flood has revealed that the words of Sir Bradley Wiggins continue to inspire him.
The Olympic and Tour de France champion addressed the England squad before their QBE Autumn International campaign.
"Bradley Wiggins talked about how you have to break everything down," said Flood, who will replace Owen Farrell in England's starting XV for tomorrow's Six Nations clash with Italy.
"He knew the Tour de France was there and he had the ability, but he had to get the Paris-Nice right and the Dauphine right. That is a really interesting thing for us to deal with.
"This is the Six Nations, it is eight weeks long and you have to get it right day-by-day, week-by-week. I was interested to hear him say how some days he can't be arsed to do it and it sounds terrible, but there are those days when it is wet and miserable.
"But you get out on the bike or out on the field and you get motivated because if you get two or three missed sessions it hurts you more."
England have beaten Italy in each of their last 18 meetings.
Robert Summerscales
