Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'He's dropped in very easily': The England verdict on Care return

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Richard Cockerill has explained how well veteran scrum-half Danny Care has fitted into the England squad this week following his shock recall by Eddie Jones four years after he was last capped at international level. The 35-year-old last featured against Japan in 2018 but he was named last Sunday in the 36-strong squad preparing to play the Barbarians at Twickenham next Sunday.

ADVERTISEMENT

With Ben Youngs playing for Leicester in this Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final and Raffi Quirke unavailable because of injury, Care was chosen as one of three scrum-halves along with Alex Mitchell and Harry Randall.

Touted all season as one of the standout performers in the Premiership, the 84-cap Care has now got his chance to prove to Jones that he still has what it takes at England level and the midweek indications were that his involvement might not only be just for this week.

Video Spacer

The Breakdown | Sky Sport NZ | Episode 17

Video Spacer

The Breakdown | Sky Sport NZ | Episode 17

Assistant coach Cockerill outlined on Wednesday that the Harlequins player is not only in with a shout of touring Australia next month but he also would a consideration for the 2023 World Cup if he maintains his form.

“I think everybody is contention, everybody in this squad for the last week and a half are all in contention,” said Cockerill when initially asked about the chances of Care going to Australia with England. “Everybody will have the opportunity on Sunday to put their hand up to go on tour so there is no door closed. If people train well enough and play well enough and contribute to what we are doing, everybody is in the mix.”

Related

The discussion was then widened to take in next year’s World Cup in France, by which stage Care will be 36, and again Cockerill wasn’t dismissing the veteran half-back’s chances of inclusion. “Definitely. If he is playing well enough and is playing better than anybody else young or old, then he will come into contention because World Cups are about having that balance, having enough caps of experience to be able to control and manage the pressure but also those young guys who are so hungry and compete and coming through.

“It gives you that real balance of experience, energy, enthusiasm and making sure we have that real balance in our group. I don’t think age will be a barrier, whether young or old. It will be picked on how well guys are playing.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Danny is a competitor and he wants to compete – he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have that focus to go to the World Cup. He is in great physical condition as a senior member of the squad so I would say he is very keen to compete for a spot.”

Cockerill further described how Care has fitted in with the England squad at Bagshot since last Sunday evening’s call-up. “He has been on great form for a little while now. He is full of energy and life. He is a good character and clearly a very good player so he is adding on and off the field, it has been really positive.

“He is very experienced, isn’t he? He has worked with Eddie before, he has worked with a lot of the guys that are in the squad now. He is a bright man, he picks things up very quickly. He is clearly a very instinctive player, he has dropped in very easily and training very well and being very good with the group.

“He has always been in England’s thoughts. He has been on great form for Quins. There are a lot of other good, young nines that have been brought through by Eddie and we have had Benny Youngs there as well. Danny has always been part of the selection conversation and Eddie thinks it is the right time to bring him back into the fold to help the group.”

ADVERTISEMENT

While Care is training away with England, his Harlequins teammate Joe Marler wasn’t chosen this week. Cockerill, though, insisted that exclusion doesn’t mean he won’t be considered for the squad to tour Australia.

“We are looking at bringing some younger props through. Bevan Rodd has been on great form for Sale, we know what Joe can do and it is an opportunity in these two mini-camps going into this (Barbarians) game to see some other guys.

“Like I said, everybody is available. No decision has been made about who is going to Australia or not. Eddie will have a framework of what he thinks. When it comes to the pinch we will see who are the right people to take to build for the World Cup.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
TI 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

46 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

2 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Gatland defiant but Welsh rugby no nearer escape route with Springboks looming Gatland defiant but Welsh rugby no nearer escape route with Springboks looming
Search