When
England host the Rugby World Cup this autumn they would dearly love to
emulate the striking consistency of their Under-20 side. In the Italian
town of Cremona on Saturday evening, Charlie Ewels and his team-mates
will be seeking to secure a third successive junior world title, an
achievement that really would signpost a rosy future for the national
team.
Of the 2013 side who triumphed in France, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie are already in England’s World Cup training squad. So is Maro Itoje, who led the Under-20s to victory in Auckland 12 months ago. As this year’s crop are fully aware, the gap between youthful promise and a senior cap is significantly less wide than it used to be. Hence the excited pre-match mood in Italy, described by the head coach, Jon Callard, as “like kids in a sweet shop”.
Their opponents New Zealand have at least two outstanding individuals in their winger Tevita Li and back-rower Akira Ioane but the strong performance of England’s pack in the semi-final win over South Africa suggests another gripping final could be in prospect.
In the shape of Paul Hill, Jack Walker and the captain, Ewels, who has already played European rugby for Bath against a Toulouse pack including Louis Picamoles and Thierry Dusautoir, England have some highly effective young forwards and the Saracens centre Nick Tompkins is a further name to watch, having captained England at U16 and U17 level.
For some context, it is interesting to note that when these two sides last met in a final in Italy, in 2011, the likes of Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett, George Ford, Owen Farrell and Joe Launchbury were involved. Four years later all of those players will be at the World Cup proper, which suggests England’s squad for the 2019 World Cup will include a handful of this summer’s crop.
Physically, as Callard is quick to confirm, the modern young player bears scant resemblance to his old-school predecessors. “When I played for England I think I was 89kg and 5ft 10in tall. The average size of a full-back now is 6ft 3in and 16 and a half stone. It’s just the way society is growing. In terms of preparing for and recovering from games, everything has gone up a notch.”
Add to that the sheer weight of numbers and financial muscle at England’s disposal and it could be argued England should have been dominant at this level years ago. “It was always said in the past that if England get it right they’d be a hell of a force,” said Callard, who credits Stuart Lancaster, the England senior team’s head coach, for his efforts to reconnect English rugby’s various strands.
“There are a lot of people doing some fantastic jobs in terms of developing the game at all levels. Stuart has re-emphasised the principle of having pride in the shirt and, having seen the likes of Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson break through, these guys know they’re not a million miles away.
“I think this team is ahead of last year’s because the players are getting technically and tactically better year on year. Everyone knows what’s expected and how to operate in these circumstances.”
As if to underline the point, Lancaster and Graham Rowntree have been in regular phone contact with Callard and his forward lieutenant, Ian Peel, throughout the tournament, during which England have beaten Japan, Wales and South Africa but lost 30-18 to France in the pool stages.
In hindsight that setback might have been a blessing. “It was no secret we underperformed against France,” admitted Callard. “We were very disappointed and want to show we’re better than that.”
It also helps that England have no injury concerns, allowing them to stick with the same combination that upset a formidable Springbok side 28-20 in Calvisano. There are six survivors from last year’s final and, assuming they can neutralise New Zealand’s pace out wide, Callard is quietly hopeful.
“We’ve got a lot of selflessness in our side which helps others to shine. They’re not thinking about themselves, they’re thinking about the team.”
Wales, meanwhile, will tackle Australia in a play-off for seventh place while Ireland and Scotland contest ninth.
Of the 2013 side who triumphed in France, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie are already in England’s World Cup training squad. So is Maro Itoje, who led the Under-20s to victory in Auckland 12 months ago. As this year’s crop are fully aware, the gap between youthful promise and a senior cap is significantly less wide than it used to be. Hence the excited pre-match mood in Italy, described by the head coach, Jon Callard, as “like kids in a sweet shop”.
Their opponents New Zealand have at least two outstanding individuals in their winger Tevita Li and back-rower Akira Ioane but the strong performance of England’s pack in the semi-final win over South Africa suggests another gripping final could be in prospect.
In the shape of Paul Hill, Jack Walker and the captain, Ewels, who has already played European rugby for Bath against a Toulouse pack including Louis Picamoles and Thierry Dusautoir, England have some highly effective young forwards and the Saracens centre Nick Tompkins is a further name to watch, having captained England at U16 and U17 level.
For some context, it is interesting to note that when these two sides last met in a final in Italy, in 2011, the likes of Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett, George Ford, Owen Farrell and Joe Launchbury were involved. Four years later all of those players will be at the World Cup proper, which suggests England’s squad for the 2019 World Cup will include a handful of this summer’s crop.
Physically, as Callard is quick to confirm, the modern young player bears scant resemblance to his old-school predecessors. “When I played for England I think I was 89kg and 5ft 10in tall. The average size of a full-back now is 6ft 3in and 16 and a half stone. It’s just the way society is growing. In terms of preparing for and recovering from games, everything has gone up a notch.”
Add to that the sheer weight of numbers and financial muscle at England’s disposal and it could be argued England should have been dominant at this level years ago. “It was always said in the past that if England get it right they’d be a hell of a force,” said Callard, who credits Stuart Lancaster, the England senior team’s head coach, for his efforts to reconnect English rugby’s various strands.
“There are a lot of people doing some fantastic jobs in terms of developing the game at all levels. Stuart has re-emphasised the principle of having pride in the shirt and, having seen the likes of Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson break through, these guys know they’re not a million miles away.
“I think this team is ahead of last year’s because the players are getting technically and tactically better year on year. Everyone knows what’s expected and how to operate in these circumstances.”
As if to underline the point, Lancaster and Graham Rowntree have been in regular phone contact with Callard and his forward lieutenant, Ian Peel, throughout the tournament, during which England have beaten Japan, Wales and South Africa but lost 30-18 to France in the pool stages.
In hindsight that setback might have been a blessing. “It was no secret we underperformed against France,” admitted Callard. “We were very disappointed and want to show we’re better than that.”
It also helps that England have no injury concerns, allowing them to stick with the same combination that upset a formidable Springbok side 28-20 in Calvisano. There are six survivors from last year’s final and, assuming they can neutralise New Zealand’s pace out wide, Callard is quietly hopeful.
“We’ve got a lot of selflessness in our side which helps others to shine. They’re not thinking about themselves, they’re thinking about the team.”
Wales, meanwhile, will tackle Australia in a play-off for seventh place while Ireland and Scotland contest ninth.
