Test setback won’t hamper Care’s World Cup hopes
DANNY Care will quickly shrug off his latest England blow and have no trouble convincing Eddie Jones he should still go to France next year.
Care’s club captain Stephan Lewies has no doubts the 35-year-old scrum-half can bounce back from being hooked by Eddie Jones before halftime of the final Test in Sydney.
Having forced his way back into Jones’ good books with his outstanding displays for Harlequins, Care must now hope he has done enough to retain his place in the squad for the Autumn internationals.
Lewies said: “Danny has been around the block long enough for that not to affect him too much. The game is changing in terms of how coaches use their 23 so I don’t think we should read anything into it. It’s something you are going to see a lot more of in international rugby. It doesn’t matter what time of game it is, they will do what is right for the team.
“South Africa took off Jasper Wiese before halftime against Wales. It just means at that time of the game the coach had seen something and felt something different was needed
“Danny had a brilliant tour and you see the experience he brought to the England team. He has been outstanding for Quins over the last couple of seasons and he proved why he deserved another chance and showed why he should remain in it. You can’t buy his experience and we certainly miss him on the field when he’s not available for Quins with his calmness and decision making.
“Hopefully we’ll see him in the World Cup next year. When it comes to a World Cup, I feel there is no-one better to have next to you on the field, especially in France.”
If Care is struggling to take control of the England No.9 jersey, Lewies is in no doubt that the No.10 jersey is all but glued to the hands of another Quin, Marcus Smith.
After watching him produce a stunning piece of skill to score a vital individual try in the final Test win, Lewies claims: “Marcus is slowly making the No.10 jersey his own and he is getting better every time he puts on that white jersey.
“He will only get better with each international experience.
“His ceiling is so high and the potential for improvement is huge. By the time the World Cup comes around in France he will, hopefully, be at his very best.
“The thing I enjoy most about Marcus is he always wants and tries to get better. It’s in his DNA to not be happy with how things are. He wants more and more.”