Ben’s ton of worries
BEN YOUNGS is being made to sweat on reaching his century of England caps by the coronavirus outbreak. Eddie Jones’ senior player is two appearances short of his ton and will pick up one of those against Wales on Saturday assuming he stays clear of injury. But there is a real danger he will be marooned on 99 as England’s game in Rome the following week is under serious threat of postponement due to Italy being Europe’s worst affected country. With Jones not planning to involve his World Cup stars in England’s two-Test tour to Japan in July, Youngs could have to wait until autumn to make the 100 Club. The Leicester star said: “There are plenty of people who have got near it and something’s got in the way. I was speaking to Cian Healy after the Ireland game. He’s injured and out for the remainder of the championship on 98 caps.
“I’ll take it week by week. Coronavirus is a hot topic so we’ll see how it plays out.”
Youngs, 30, reached three figures last Sunday when he added England cap No.98 to his two Tests with the British and Irish Lions.
Asked if he celebrated the milestone, he said: “I didn’t, to be honest. I’m aware of it but it’d be nice to do it just for England.”
Concern over the virus has grown with the announcement on Friday of the first person to be infected within the UK – and in Japan of the first UK citizen to die of the virus after being infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
But English rugby chiefs say their position remains unchanged from Wednesday when Six Nations organisers, who have postponed Saturday’s Italy versus Ireland clash, said “all other matches are currently scheduled to go ahead”.
The Italian sports minister is today due to review coronavirus restrictions in his country and meetings relating to the championship are arranged for Paris this week.
England will assume
Alun Wyn
Jones and his
Wales team are Twickenham-bound on Saturday – and prepare with the intention of repeating the effort which floored Ireland last Sunday.
A significant aspect of England’s back-to-back wins has been the power surge provided by their subs bench and, in particular, loosehead prop Ellis Genge.
The Leicester star has added real impact, scoring the winning try against Scotland and firing up the England pack to steamroller the Irish forwards for Luke CowanDickie’s try a week ago.
“He’s exciting, isn’t he?” said Youngs. “Gengey sits there on the bench bottled up with all this anger. He wants to get out there.
“His aggression, power, ability to carry and be extremely aggressive within the carry is fantastic.” ★Ben Youngs was at Harwell RFC for a Canterbury event, giving grassroots players the chance to train with England.