>> Old king Cole set to repel young pretenders
FIRED-UP tight-head Dan Cole says he is relishing his ninth Six Nations campaign as much as his first eight years ago as he looks to reinforce his position as England’s first choice No.3.
Cole suffered Lions heartache last summer by failing to feature in any of the three Tests against New Zealand, with Ireland’s Tadgh Furlong and Red Rose rival Kyle preferred instead.
However, the 30-year-old remains the undisputed champion as far as England are concerned – a fact Leicester’s finest will underline as he looks to add to his 77 caps, the first of which he won against Wales at Twickenham in 2010. Cole told The Rugby
Paper: “The Six Nations is the biggest tournament in rugby outside the World Cup and something I loved watching as a kid.
“The history and tradition around it are what attract you to rugby and, personally, I’ll always be extra-excited by playing in it.
“It was disappointing not to feature in any of the Tests in New Zealand, but you know before you go there that you might not play.
“You’ve just got to be happy to be involved in a successful tour like that, so you come back, dust yourself down and focus on club and country. “One flipside of not playing in the Tests is that I wasn’t as bruised and banged-up as others, so I’m feeling pretty good now.” Of his impending selection battle with Sinckler and in-form Exeter No.3 Harry Williams, Cole added: “One of Eddie Jones’ great strengths as a coach is he’s brought competition to every position and will give guys chances. “Harry’s done well and Sincks has proven what he can do, so you’re constantly improving and testing yourself against each other. “That’s what Eddie wants, but he also gives clear direction that, as a tight-head, he just wants us to push and do our jobs in the lineout. “He doesn’t want us flying around like No.10s or anything, he just wants us to do our own roles well, which is why we get results.”
England can create history by claiming a third successive Six Nations title, but Cole warns: “We’ll be targeted because of what we’ve done in the last two Six Nations – and what we did in the autumn won’t be good enough.
“Ireland are a huge threat, Wales will be boosted by the performance of their teams in Europe and Scotland have momentum. It could be as good and open a tournament as there’s ever been and we’re focussed on a fast start.”