Georgia’s new scrum guru wants World Cup redemption
Jon Newcombe talks to Graham Rowntree as work begins for his World Cup return
GRAHAM Rowntree is looking forward to the chance of redemption at Rugby World Cup 2019 in his new role as Georgia’s forwards coach.
Part of the coaching group that was castigated for England’s early elimination from the last tournament, the 47-yearold will come face-to-face with his former tormentors once again at this year’s tournament in Japan after Georgia were drawn with Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay.
“When I signed on with Georgia (in September), I had one eye on the World Cup,” Rowntree said, as Georgia prepare to defend the Rugby Europe Championship title.
“It’s certainly a familiar looking pool for me, and one that excites me. If I’m being honest, I’m looking forward to being the underdog. I genuinely think we can surprise a few people. We’ve got a good lead-in to the World Cup and you can do a lot as a group in that time.”
England’s failure to reach the knockout stages in their home tournament cost Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell and Rowntree their jobs.
The popular former Leicester, England and Lions prop went to work with Harlequins before taking on this latest challenge in September.
Reflecting on what happened, Rowntree said: “To say we were criticised is perhaps an understatement. That was tough but that’s sport, it’s a business, they wanted to make changes and I fully understand that. You move forward and learn from it.
“I love the game and I’ve got too much energy to give to be out of it for a period of time. This role suits me. I’m still UK based and I’m in and out (of the country) wherever they are training and playing. Most of the time I’m in France watching Top 14 or Pro D2 games because that’s where most of my boys are.”
Rowntree still finds time to keep up to speed with the Premiership and believes Dan Cole’s recall to the wider England squad was well deserved.
Cole missed out on the matchday 23 for the Ireland opener, and Rowntree says England are spoilt for choice in the prop department.
“He has been around a long time has Dan Cole. He has come back from a serious neck operation and I am delighted to see him carrying some form. They’ve got some good props there, have England,” said the 54-cap former England prop.
“I’m a big fan of Kyle Sinckler. Obviously, I worked with him with Quins and the Lions and I like this Harry Williams, so they have got some depth there all of a sudden. Ellis Genge is boisterous on the field, I like that about him, and he’ll only get better with experience, as Mako (Vunipola) has shown. Mako is a world-class player and he hasn’t got a single weakness to his game as far as I can see.”
One area where no-one stands comparison to Georgia though is in natural strength, as Rowntree has discovered.
“The Georgian DNA is incredible. We trained at Montpellier during the autumn series and used their gym and they ran out of weights for the lads to use, I’d never seen that before; they are unbelievably strong and technically very good as well.”