Cole keen to move on from World Cup misery
Dan Cole says that immersing himself in the rebuild under way at Leicester Tigers has provided a happy distraction after World Cup disappointment with England.
Cole replaced Kyle Sinckler just three minutes into the final against South Africa 10 months ago and endured a torrid evening.
The tighthead prop, who had enjoyed an excellent tournament until that point, was penalised four times as Tendai Mtawarira dismantled England’s scrum and drove the Springboks to victory.
Cole, asked how he reflects on that 32-12 defeat, said: “I try not to. You probably get one chance in your life to take an opportunity [like that] and you don’t take it.”
The 33-year-old, speaking out about the loss for the first time, added: “There are thoughts around that. [But] as we’ve found out recently, there are bigger things in life and that is the way you have to look at it. You find a way and you move on.
“Obviously there are some emotions around it. But you’ve got to move on. That’s not to say that at the end of my career I won’t look back and be more annoyed.”
The occasion marked Cole’s 98th Test appearance, his 95th for England to go with three for the British and Irish Lions.
He is grateful now for the raft of fixtures that will mark the Premiership’s restart following a five-month hiatus, beginning with a trip to Exeter on Saturday,
“Thankfully, at the minute, there is a lot more coming at us,” Cole said. “I am doing a disservice to my team-mates if I am sat there dwelling on stuff that’s happened in the past. One thing about sport is you have to deal with the here and now, as a player especially.”