We may not be specialist 15s but the game’s changed at the back
ANTHONY Watson insists England’s lack of a specialist fullback will not affect their World Cup chances.
With Mike Brown and European player of the year Alex Goode overlooked, Red Rose boss Eddie Jones has named six back three players in his 31-man squad, none of whom could be described as a career No.15 for club or country.
Elliott Daly has been preferred as England’s last line of defence since last year’s tour of South Africa. He is a rapid counter-attacker, but some of his defensive work has been suspect – as evidenced in last week’s game against Wales – while Jack Nowell, Joe Cokanasiga, Ruaridh McConnochie and Jonny May are out and out wingers.
Watson, now fully recovered from two bouts of Achilles surgery that cost him 13 months out of the game, offers a viable alternative having previously featured at full-back for Bath. He believes fears over the position are unfounded.
Watson, 25, told The Rugby Paper:
“The backfield is so interchangeable that I don’t think it matters which of your back-three plays there. You see how important the aerial contest is and when a ball goes up someone might have to switch positions and go to full-back anyway.
“The guys that we’ve got are all capable of slotting in at 15, whether it’s for one phase or a whole game.
He added: “Whether I play on the wing or fullback doesn’t bother me at all and being able to counter-attack and compete for the ball in the air is all part of the role now.” Watson’s World Cup participation had been in doubt following an injury that dragged on, but after recovering to feature in Bath’s last
three Premiership matches he proved himself against Wales last week.
He said: “It was great to be out there and great to be back being part of the squad over the summer, just because of how good it feels to be ripping in and working hard with these guys.
“By no means were we perfect but our number one focus is to improve week-to-week and back up what we’re doing. At a World Cup it’s no good playing well in one game and then dropping off, you’ve got improve as you go along and then peak.
“I’d forgotten how tough the sessions with England were in terms of the running and fitness work we do, but you always come off the training field feeling you’re developing and getting better and I think I’ve showed that – it’s been awesome so far.”
Bath played a crucial part in Watson’s recovery, to the extent of holding back his participation in competitive matches until he was deemed ready in late April.
He explained: “I’d been desperate to play against Gloucester a couple of weeks before my eventual comeback, but (ex-rugby director) Todd Blackadder said, ‘what difference will two weeks make?’.
“To me it meant the world but it was better to make sure my body was where it should be and only put myself back on the pitch when it was right for the team and myself. Todd’s been proved absolutely right and everyone at Bath stood by me.”
Watson’s inclusion means that four members of England’s victorious 2013 Junior World Cup-winning side will head to Japan with England, with Exeter trio Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie and roommate Jack Nowell also targeting a unique ‘double’.
“It’s brilliant to be in camp with guys like that,” Watson said. “It’s a very special group and we’re all great mates which is big for the togetherness and development of one another.
“To go on this journey with some of my best mates who I’ve built relationships with from the age of 15 – and throw in my clubmates Jonathan Joseph, Joe Cokanasiga, Sam Underhill and Ruaridh McConnochie – makes it more enjoyable.”
Watson and Nowell have formed a particularly strong bond. “Having him as my ‘roomie’ is class and he brings something a bit special. There’s this little diffuser thing he brings that smells out the room with six ‘essential’ oils, as he calls them. He keeps mixing them and it’s like a spa in there!”