& GONE Youngs learnt plenty from 2015 disaster

BEN YOUNGS and England have moved on from their 2015 horror show on home soil.

And the scrum-half says he will be ‘spurred on’ by past failures.

Eddie Jones’ men kick off their campaign against Tonga today as they look to put the disappointment of four years ago behind them.

England capitulated on home soil and failed to even make it out of the group stage.

Youngs was also involved in the squad that travelled to New Zealand in 2011 and were dumped out in the quarter-finals by France.

England’s jaunt to the southern hemisphere was overshadowed by off-field controversies.

Manu Tuilagi – who is also in the current squad – was fined after jumping off a ferry into Auckland harbour.

The disastrous trip subsequently led to England rugby legend Martin Johnson resigning as head coach.

Youngs, 30, says it was England’s failure to meet expectations in 2015 that hit him hardest, though.

He is now adamant the setback has only made him more determined to succeed this time round.

“I can only speak on behalf of myself but 2015 was extremely hard and tough to take,” he said. “Moments like that do spur you on. It taught me a lot of lessons as an individual.

“It’s about making sure you use them in the right way to fuel you for the next bit.

“I’m only focused on what’s coming ahead now, to be honest with you. 2015 did hurt at the time but now I try and look back at it and take out what I can from an experience point of view. “There’s no point going back over it.” The Leicester Tigers ace is now also the most capped No.9 in English rugby history. Youngs, however, says his time at the top has given him a sense of calm when it comes to performing on the biggest stage.

“Everyone deals with differently, I guess,” he added.

“I think I have a really good balance things