DELON ARMITAGE has revealed England’s players are thrilled by their new licence to attack and ready to take out months of frustration on Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash.

England manager Martin Johnson has named the boldest attacking team of his 18-month tenure after being persuaded in a frank meeting with his squad to remove the tactical straitjacket.

Armitage and Riki Flutey have both returned from injury but it is the selection of Mathew Tait at outside-centre and Danny Care at scrum-half which indicates a marked change in emphasis.

England were jeered during the autumn international campaign and widely criticised for a lack of attacking ambition.

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

Johnson and England attack coach Brian Smith admitted mistakes were made and they have responded by redrawing the game plan.

“Freedom within structure” is the buzz phrase, but in short the likes of Armitage, Tait and Care have clearance to play their natural games.

“You mustn’t attack for the sake of it, but if it’s on, then go, play what you see in front of you and leave nothing in the tank,” said Armitage.

“We’ve got that freedom now to play to our strengths rather than go out there, holding back, not trying things, worrying about the game plan and still losing.

“Having this freedom now is going to be brilliant for us. Everyone will be more relaxed and ready to play.

“We’ve got to go out there with freedom and the boys are really thrilled about that.

“As a back-three player, if you are given a licence to go, any player would tell you that is a golden key and I intend to use it.

“We’ve been promised good ball from the forwards and if we get that and use our pace, then hopefully we can cause the Welsh some problems.”

England missed Armitage’s attacking thrusts in the autumn and part of the coaches’ decision to take a damage limitation approach was because the squad was ravaged by injuries.

But Johnson’s squad for the tournament is the best he has had to work with, with only Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery missing from a first-choice starting team.

Perhaps the most vital aspect is that England’s senior leadership group is strengthened.

One of the most damning passages of the autumn debacle was against Argentina, when it took England until half-time to change their tactics because no-one on the field took the bull by the horns.

Nick Easter’s return from injury was flagged up as vital by Johnson because the Harlequins number eight boasts natural leadership qualities.

Cut from a similar cloth to Johnson, Easter is certainly not ready to get carried away with talk of gung-ho attacking rugby, but he has never felt so excited about an England set-up before.

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

“We have picked a side, now let’s use their strengths as individuals and play heads up rugby. If someone sees something, ’Bang’ it is on.

“But 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.”