Charteris: Ewels here to stay for England
EXPERIENCED Bath lock Luke Charteris expects second row partner Charlie Ewels to be a mainstay of England’s forward operation for “the next ten years” after impressing on the tour of Argentina.
Ewels was a stand-out performer as Eddie Jones’ side earned a hard-fought 2-0 series victory over the Pumas and Charteris believes the 22-year-old enforcer will maintain that form for Bath and apply the heat to Red Rose regulars Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje and George Kruis.
Wales Test star Charteris told The Rugby Paper: “Charlie was quality in Argentina. He was a bit unfortunate last year when he was involved with quite a few games for England but perhaps didn’t get the game time he deserved; now he’s made that big breakthrough.
“There are some good second rows in that England side, but with guys being away with the Lions it gave Charlie an opportunity and he certainly stepped up. He’s cemented himself in that squad and has all the attributes to be an England player for the next ten years.”
Ewels’ first mission is to fire-up a Bath side that Charteris admits remains disappointed with the way last season ended, when promising positions in the Premiership and European Challenge Cup were squandered to leave the club facing a ninth season without silverware.
Charteris said: “We started the season well, but unfortunately we dropped out of the top four and came up short in the Challenge Cup as well, so it was a really frustrating finish.
“But the younger boys will have learnt a hell of a lot from that. A lot of lads played first team rugby last year when they might not have been expecting it, so if they’re in the position to win silverware again that will stand us in good stead.”
Samoan tight-head Anthony Perenise is a late addition to the squad from Bristol and Charteris believes his side are building a pack that will stand toe-to-toe with the best.
He explained: “We’ve got some great locks like Charlie, Elliott Stooke and Dave Attwood and have guys like Matt Garvey, Tom Ellis and James Phillips whose versatility allows them to play second or back row.
“Henry Thomas is due back from injury, while in Zach Mercer and Sam Underhill we’ve got some really hungry young forwards with serious international ambitions with England who can be a mainstays of our back row alongside Francois Louw and Toby Faletau.”
Charteris missed Wales’ summer tour of the Pacific Islands, but the 74-cap lock insists he still has ambitions to compete for a Wales place.
He added: “I had an injury towards the end of last season otherwise I would have gone on that tour. In the long-term it’s probably a good thing because it allowed me to have a good rest and get a proper preseason behind me.
“For Wales guys like Jake Ball, Cory Hill and Rory Thornton are putting their hands up and there are other good young second rows coming through, but I still have ambitions to play Test rugby.”