Josh beats nerves to strike blow for Tier 2
CORNISH Pirates forward Josh Caulfield believes last week’s amazing 25-17 win over Saracens proves the gap between the Premiership and Championship isn’t as big as people imagined – at least not on the pitch.
Flanker/lock Caulfield was part of a pack that completely outplayed their more vaunted opponents, who included World Cup winner Vincent Koch in their front row, winning six feeds against the head at scrum-time and stealing six lineouts.
“I do think the Championship is underestimated, and we did say after the game ‘that’s got to do the Champ some good’, said former England U20 international Caulfield.
“I know they were missing quite a few of their internationals but that team they put out won quite a few matches in the Prem towards the end of last year.
“Obviously, there is a difference between the Prem and the Champ but it makes you think, ‘is there that much difference’?”
Caulfield, 23, is in a good position to judge.
Until his full-time move to the Pirates in May last year, Caulfield was on the books of Exeter Chiefs and also had a brief loan spell at Wasps, making one Premiership appearance at each.
Much of his time at the Chiefs was spent on loan at Pirates so a permanent move there, in order to get regular game time, made sense.
“When I started my loan period at Pirates I was with Sam Simmonds and he is probably the best player in the Premiership right now. There are loads of Chiefs players who have gone down to the Pirates and gone on to do well,” said Caulfield.
“Being at Exeter, the best team in Europe and the Premiership, it can be hard to break through in a side where there are so many good back rowers and second rowers – people like Sam, Dave Ewers, Don Armand, Duane Vermeulen, Jannies Kirsten, Jonny Hill, Jonny Gray, Sam Skinner… pretty much all internationals.
“I enjoyed my time at Exeter and learned a lot of stuff but I just wanted to play because that’s the best way to improve.”
Unable to play any competitive fixtures until last weekend because of Covid19, Caulfield relished the opportunity to test himself against the best.
“We’ve gone from rock bottom thinking ‘are we ever going to play in this league’ to beating a side like Saracens with all the history they have.
“To dominate them like we did at scrum-time and in the lineout, against the calibre of players they have, is some statement.”
Caulfield has played in some big games before, including a World Rugby U20 Championship final, but says the Sarries game is right up there.
“That’s probably the most nervous I’ve been before a game in ages.
“I don’t know whether that’s down to the fact that we haven’t played in such a long time and we went straight into a massive game like that – probably one of the biggest games Pirates have played in.
“When I get nervous, I end up joking around a bit too much beforehand and end up being the changing room clown. It’s normally me and Dan Frost (hooker) who mess around play fighting with each other.”
Having seen Simmonds and players like former classmate, Sale hooker Curtis Langdon, establish themselves in the topflight, Caulfield hopes to one day be playing against sides of the calibre of Saracens on a weekly basis.
“Every weekend I want to improve and put myself in the spotlight.”