Earl in waiting to be Burger’s successor
SARACENS back rower Ben Earl is ready to step in and prove why he can be the natural successor to departing legend Schalk Burger.
World Cup winner Burger, 35, will return to South Africa at the end of the season, leaving a hefty gap that Earl has a chance of filling.
Former England U20s skipper Earl, 20, told The
Rugby Paper: “There are no guarantees and we’ve got Calum Clark back from injury while Jackson Wray is playing very well, but this is a big year and I’m aiming to take my chances.
“I’ve got things to work on, certainly defensively, but I’ve been enjoying my recent run in the side. I’m playing well and making an impact.”
Earl added: “I’m very lucky that I’ve got Schalk here at Sarries, who’s a great player and has been one of the best in the world.
“I’ve learnt a lot from him and another good role model in a wider sense is Michael Hooper as he’s the same height and physique as me. He is very consistent over 80 minutes, which is something I’m trying to replicate.”
With so much current emphasis on lower tackle heights and further potential changes that could reduce them further, Earl is one of those shorter, squatter players who stands to benefit amid the drive to make rugby safer.
After an unsettling period dominated by sixand-a-halves, traditional No.7s are finally back in vogue and Earl said: “Myself and the coaching staff here have spoken about that and I think this will be my full-time position now.
“It’s great to see genuine No.7s like Tom Curry – a close mate of mine – and Sam Underhill doing well for England and there’s a lot of competition there now.
“It ensures no one gets complacent and when you see young guys of your own age group like Tom being capped, it inspires you to put your name out there.”
An uncapped tourist with England in South Africa last June, Earl added: “That tour had a huge impact on me and I’m grateful Eddie Jones gave me the chance.
“He’s looking for certain things from a No.7 and that’s what I aim to deliver.
“We talk about tackle height and selection of what breakdowns to go into and which to stay away from, which will improve with experience.”
Club form will dictate Earl’s England chances.
He added: “Saracens are fighting across four competitions, if you include the Premiership Shield, and doing really well in all of them.
“We’re looking forward to what’s to come in the New Year but, to be honest, we still haven’t put in a full 80-minute performance yet.
“That’s the really exciting part, though – knowing we’re nowhere near the finished article and there’s still a whole lot left in us.”