Youngs urges Eddie to unleash the ‘beast’
BEN Youngs backs inform Manu Tuilagi to lift England’s injury gloom by taking the forthcoming Autumn internationals by storm.
With injuries to England squad players well into double figures after Billy Vunipola and Chris Robshaw were added to an already lengthy list, Red Rose boss Eddie Jones has major selection issues ahead of the clash with South Africa on Saturday week.
However, England’s back-line remains largely intact and with Tuilagi showing the kind of form for Leicester that brought him to prominence seven years ago – especially against Scarlets on Friday night – Youngs believes the 27-year-old midfielder is ready to be unleashed. Youngs told The Rugby
Paper: “Manu’s definitely hit some form. Having him in your team is one thing, but having a fit, firing Manu is a completely different beast for any team he plays for.
“His solo-try against Ulster last weekend gave a glimpse of what he could do. He had no right to score that but he did, and he did something similar against Worcester the other week.
“While some people think he’s just a one-dimensional crash-ball merchant, he’s far more than that and he’s been showing it for a Leicester side that’s still trying to find its game.”
Owen Farrell and Henry Slade occupied England’s No.12 and 13 jerseys on the tour of South Africa, meaning one would need to make way. However, Youngs believes Tuilagi would be an asset in either position, adding: “He can play 12 or 13 with equal effectiveness and what Manu brings is a huge amount of physicality and destructiveness that other teams find hard to live with.
“But there are other things he can do with his lines of running, how he holds up defenders and creates space for runners because he’s such a threat himself. If he’s got two or three people biting in on him, there’s space elsewhere. “I’ve been really pleased to see him back with a smile on his face and I’ve absolute confidence he can attack this Autumn series and show his best.” Whether Jones sticks with George Ford at flyhalf or moves Farrell inside to accommodate Tuilagi adds to the selection intrigue. Ford has been criticised for not being the gain-line threat of old – something Youngs admits his 47-cap teammate has sought to resolve.
Youngs explained: “It’s not for me to decide who wears England’s 10 jersey but I play with George week-in, week-out and he’s been on really good form.
“His try against Worcester the other week – a solo-effort off the lineout – shows that he’s willing to take on the line a lot more than he has been doing previously and he’s a huge influence in terms of how we play and his ability to bring others into the
game.
“Attacking the line is something George wants to bring. You can’t just go every time, but when the opportunity does come you have to see it and execute it. He’s been doing that very well for Leicester.”
Youngs will go head-tohead with Danny Care for the No.9 jersey as he looks to add to his impressive 77cap tally. He said: “It’s a great rivalry and the friendship me and DC have, along with the understanding of how we push and help each other, is really important.
“I’m excited to be involved and you only have to look at who you might be up against in guys like Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara and Will Genia to feel that sense of anticipation.”
Youngs believes it is important for England to be more ruthless after June’s series loss in South Africa. He added: “That tour showed the importance that when you do have a team under the cosh, like we did in Johannesburg, you can’t let them off.
“To go 24-3 up and then go in at half-time losing was criminal. We’ve got to be more clinical and when we do have them on the ropes, we’ve got to keep them there and get those wins.”