Robshaw is the tonic for Clifford comeback
JACK CLIFFORD had a horror run of injuries last season, but now the Harlequins apprentice is back and ready to learn from the master — Chris Robshaw.
The 24-year-old missed six months in total, an ankle injury, concussion and a recurrence of his shoulder trouble ruling him out for club and country.
But after the first full pre-season of his professional career and two games at No 8 to start the season, Clifford will play his third match of the year at openside flanker today against Wasps.
And if he is to add to his 10 caps and impress Eddie Jones before the autumn internationals against Argentina, Australia and Samoa, he knows emulating Robshaw is a good place to start.
‘He is a guy I have always looked up to in terms of his work-rate,’ said Clifford. ‘I want to emulate him. His work-ethic and work-rate in training is brilliant.
‘No matter what happens you see him doing his extras — I try to get involved with him. He is a great player. I have always had those guys around me since I started.
‘The back row when I started as an 18-year-old was Robshaw, the England captain, Nick Easter and Maurie Fa’asavalu. I was looking up to them wondering how I would get in the team. I didn’t really know how to do it! They were great guys to learn off from the start.
‘I am lucky to still play with Chris and have Nick as a coach. I try to put what they taught me out on to the pitch.’
Clifford would do well to make England’s Oxford training camp next weekend, having dropped down the pecking order due to the injuries. But the Quins man has time — the squad Jones picks in October for the next three Tests in November will be more of a target.
Today’s opponents Wasps have not lost at home in 20 league games. Harlequins are expected to be No 21, but that only fires up the flanker.
‘You look at their record at home and people will have written us off before the game,’ he added. ‘We are going in as underdogs, but that probably suits us.’