ENGLAND TOLD: DON’T
BEN YOUNGS returns to the world stage on Sunday for the first time since withdrawing from the British Lions tour to support his family in their hour of need.
Two years have passed since the England scrum-half (above) quietly informed Lions boss Warren Gatland that he could not go to New Zealand as his brother Tom’s wife was seriously ill.
Two years in which sisterin-law Tiff has mercifully made a remarkable recovery from a terminal diagnosis and Ben has worked his socks off to get another tilt at a global showpiece.
Finally it arrives this weekend, in the capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, where England open their World Cup campaign against Tonga.
Ben will win his
90th cap, moving to within one of joining Jonny Wilkinson as HARD-HITTERS Tonga will pray for England’s safety before the teams clash on Sunday.
Tonga are as much a religious brotherhood as a rugby team. Christianity runs deep and Newcastle scrum-half Sonatane Takulua (above) said: “We always give thanks to our Father in Heaven for looking after us and guiding us.
“We don’t just pray for ourselves. We always pray for our opposition, too, to give them strength and that we may play peacefully.” FROM BACK PAGE last night that Wales legend Howley could have fallen foul of such strict rules to disrupt head coach Warren Gatland’s World Cup preparations.
Hatley told how the squad sat through a 20-minute “integrity” presentation given by World Rugby, then had to confirm they fully understood the protocol.
“We had every person – players and management – in the room and were told what England’s most-capped back. And he will do so with an outpouring of love and support from family and friends back home.
Leicester captain Tom said: “When Ben made that call to the Lions he didn’t even tell me what he was doing.
“When I found out he simply said, ‘Don’t tell me off, I want to support you and spend time with Tiff and the family. That’s far more important than rugby. is expected and what is not accepted,” said Hatley.
“It couldn’t be any clearer for us as a group. And, just to be sure, a document goes around that gets signed to say you’ve heard and understood everything.”
During the 20-minute sit-down, Eddie Jones’ players were instructed to switch their phones off an hour before matches.
They were also reminded of the case of ex-Leicester My personal ambition isn’t important or relevant right now’. It takes a special type of person to do something like that but that’s my brother. I get annoyed when people call him selfish or arrogant – he’s far from that. We’ll be cheering him all the way.”
As one of only two scrum-halves selected by Eddie Jones (left) the 30-year-old will, barring injury, feature in every England game, at what is his third World Cup.
Ironically, his selfimposed summer off in 2017 allowed him to rest before putting in a full pre-season, which helped him arrive in Japan in tip top shape. “I’ve never seen him in better physical condition,” said Jones.
“He knows this is probably his last chance to do well at a World Cup. Expect him to have a really good tournament.” Family-first policy is making of Youngs