Ambitious Earl set on becoming ‘complete’

BEN EARL is unsatisfied with his rampaging display against Ireland as his pursuit of becoming world class demands he develops into the complete back row.

England’s No 8 was named official man of the match for the second time in this Guinness Six Nations after providing the tip of the spear in Saturday’s 23-22 upset of Andy Farrell’s defending champions.

Using a combination of speed, power and footwork, he carried 19 times for 140 metres and crossed for a vital second-half try as he continues to prove an unstoppable force from close range.

While the 26-year-old Saracens forward says he is aiming for world-class status, his overall stats after four rounds of the Six Nations are evidence he is already there – more carries than any other player, second behind Ireland’s James Lowe for metres carried and sixth for metres gained.

But as the tournament’s most potent forward in attack, he heads to Lyon for Saturday’s clash with France aiming to elevate another essential part of his game.

“I’m trying to take my game to a place it’s not been before. You have to nit-pick and look at your whole performance,” said Earl.

“That’s especially being a back row because it’s not all about what you do with the ball in hand, it’s not all about what you do without the ball, a combination of both.

“I’m trying to get to a point where both facets of my game are at a world class standard. That’s not the case now and I’m working very hard towards it.

“I’ve made no secret to where I want to be in the game. Has wanting to be world class driven me more? Probably not – I put a bit more pressure on myself than most. It’s something I’ve just had tolivewith.

“It just feels like we as a team are just going to get better and better and the more I can contribute to that then the better.”