The England full-back believes a resounding victory would boost Roy Hodgson’s team ahead of their Brazil 2014 opener against the Azzuri.
Mike Brown is vowing to land a psychological blow for England’s footballers when he takes on Italy today.
In three months’ time, Roy Hodgson’s team kick off their World Cup campaign against the Azzurri in Manaus.
The match sets the tone for the whole campaign and is vital to both nations’ hopes of qualifying from Group D.
Full-back Brown sees today’s Six Nations clash as a chance to “lay down a marker for the football boys” – as well as win the title.
The Manchester United fanatic said: “Our aim is to get a good result and inspire the footballers to do the same in what is obviously a big, big game for them.
“Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand were at Twickenham to support us last week. Now it’s our turn to inspire the footballers to achieve big things in the World Cup.
“England are a team people probably don’t expect too much from in this World Cup. Hopefully they’ll use that as a positive and smash the Italians.”
England marched on Rome yesterday with coach Andy Farrell bullish about their prospects of beating Ireland to the title.
“We’ve got a good chance of winning it,” said Farrell. “Ireland play the French who are at their best when their backs are against the wall. Look at the last World Cup final.”
Whatever the outcome, Farrell says England’s goal is to be ranked in the world’s top two by next year.
