BEN YOUNGS has turned to cricket for the mindset required to get him from 100 England caps to the 2023 World Cup.
The Leicester scrum-half is only the second Englishman to reach three figures and insists he has no intention of stopping there.
“I want to make 2023, without doubt I want to be part of that World Cup,” he said, ahead of today’s team announcement for England’s Nations Cup opener with Georgia.
Youngs says he is far from done and revealed that he reacted to reaching his century by adopting the psyche of a batsmen and taking a fresh guard.
“I allowed myself to absorb everything and appreciate what had happened,” he said. “I then wanted to have a clean slate and envision that I’m starting from one again.
“This is my first week in camp and I’ve got the opportunity to get one. I have used it as a reset. People have various ways of doing it and that’s the approach I’ve gone with.”
Youngs knows there are reference points out there in stars that have stayed at the top long after most others have called it quits. He cites Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Richard Wigglesworth.
But he said: “I don’t see myself yet as the guy who is mid-30s and still trying to figure out ways of staying at the top.
“I don’t feel right now that is something I need to focus on. I’m not at that stage. I see myself as a 31-year-old that is full of enthusiasm and desire to get better.”
Youngs does admit however that leaving the nervous nineties lifted a weight from his shoulders.
‘I can park it now, it’s done, a nice milestone,” he said. “Now I reset and crack on.”
ROB KEARNEY has warned James Lowe to expect a big step up defensively as his former Leinster team-mate prepares to make his Test debut against Wales tomorrow.
Andy Farrell has drafted Lowe straight into his Ireland team for the
Autumn Nations Cup opener.
And while there is huge excitement to see what the wing - who has scored 33 tries in 49 Leinster appearances - can bring in attack, Kearney (inset) outlined his defensive work will be equally important. “I think his biggest challenge this weekend is going to be without the ball,” he said. “We all know what he can do with ball in hand but, at this level, what you do without the ball is as important, if not more. You’ve got those couple of seconds less to think and do your role. Defensive errors don’t get punished every time provincially whereas at international level it’s a try every single time.”
Kearney, who recently agreed to join Super Rugby side Western Force on a six-month deal, has also come on board with Premier
WALES boss Wayne Pivac has stuck with the team that was named for the loss to Scotland.
Justin Tipuric was a late withdrawal for that Six Nations clash two weeks ago but is back in the starting line-up. On the bench, Callum Sheedy is set for his Wales debut while George North is brought back in.
Sports for their coverage of the Autumn Nations Cup. And the veteran full-back, a four-time Six Nations winner, is also glad to see Jacob Stockdale get another chance at No.15 after his night to forget in France.
He added: “Jacob is playing in a different position which we need to appreciate. We are moving a guy from wing to full-back and it’s a completely different position. We need to give him time in the position to fully judge how he’s doing there.”
MAJOR ASSETS Gibson-park is set for full Irish debut tomorrow. Left, Lowe plays for NZ Maori
HAVING A BALL Youngs wants even more caps