Ben Earl finally gets first Test start and claims England are ready for take off
Ben Earl finally gets to live his Twickenham dream today with the bold claim that England are “on the precipice” of hitting top form.
Three and a half years after his debut off the bench in Scotland the Saracens flanker makes a first international start against Wales.
A run of 15 caps all won as a replacement took him within three of the world record held by England hooker Jamie George and left Earl fearing he would forever be a nearly man. But this game changes all that - and offers England a priceless opportunity to transform the sombre mood music heading into the World Cup.
Three straight defeats, 13 tries conceded and only two scored, has led friend and foe to dismiss their chances in France.
Five wins in the last 15 games under Eddie Jones and his successor Steve Borthwick has drained all confidence from their supporters.
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This is a hugely awkward moment for Borthwick’s team, made more perilous by world No1 ranked Ireland being next in Dublin. The prospect of losing five in a row is very real.
Earl is tackled by France's Baptiste Couilloud during 2020 Autumn Nations Cup Final (The RFU Collection via Getty Ima)Into that cauldron of jeopardy steps Earl, yet rather than cowed by it the Surrey-born star reckons England are ready to burst into life.
“Steve talks about not talking, but doing,” said Earl. “I think we’re right on the precipice of trying to show what we can do.
“We are where we are. We didn’t have a great Six Nations, coming off an average autumn, and there’s been a change of regime between the two.
"But it feels like we’re on the edge of something.
All eyes are on Owen Farrell's England to see if they can snap their three-match losing streak (The RFU Collection via Getty Ima)“It might just take one game, it might take three, it might take us to scrap our way out of the [World Cup] group and see what happens. But I hope we’ll come in with a bit of a surprise.”
England have to believe they are on the cusp of clicking into gear as any other thought would keep them awake at night.
They were badly beaten by Wales a week ago, with Warren Gatland claiming his side had superior fitness. Earl and Co must respond this evening.
Earl was named Gallagher Player of the Season in June last year (Getty Images)After the wait he has been forced to endure the 25-year old needs no encouragement.
“It’s no secret my history with England has been a bit bizarre,” Earl said. “Did I ever think it wasn't going to happen? There’s been times.
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“It would be easy to sit and wallow, say your face doesn’t fit and not get better as a player. But Saracens, the way it is, drove me on.”
Earl and George celebrate success at their club Saracens (Getty Images)George is a clubmate there and Earl joked that his pal was “quietly gutted” to hear of his selection “given Jamie isn’t the most proud to have that [world] record.”
Behind the smiles lurks a steely intensity however as England, bolstered by 11 changes from Cardiff, know they dare not come up short on Earl's big day.
England: Steward; Arundell, Marchant, Lawrence, Daly; Farrell (capt), Van Poortvliet; Marler, George, Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Earl, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Hill, Willis, Youngs, Ford, Malins
Wales: L Williams; Adams, Roberts, Tompkins, Rogers; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Francis, Beard, R Davies, Lydiate, Reffell, Plumtree.
Replacements: Parry, Mathias, Lewis, Tshiunza, Basham, Hardy, Biggar, K Williams.
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