Big Ben baffled by Ludlow’s Test snub
BEN Morgan cannot understand why Lewis Ludlow has been overlooked by England this season after leading Gloucester’s revival.
Gloucester captain Ludlow became the fifth player in history to captain England on their international debut when he led them against the United States last July and he was in charge against Canada the follow week.
Since then, the 27-yearold flanker has been confined to squad call-ups despite England being without Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam and Jack Willis for all or part of this year’s Six Nations.
“Lewis leads by example,” said Morgan, right, the Gloucester and former England No.8 who returned to the side last month after 14 weeks out through injury. “He will not ask anyone to do anything he would not do himself.
“He puts his body on the line every week and it is 100 per cent from him all the time with no dip in performance. I am baffled he has not been involved with England more. He absolutely deserves it.
“His game has been improving year on year. I can wind the clock back a few years and he would probably pick up a card pretty quickly after being on the field, but he has worked really hard on that. What a threat he has become.”
Ludlow has become a firm favourite of the Kingsholm faithful. There was a lot of noise at the ground last weekend as local rivals Bath were crushed 64-0, but the biggest roar came when Ludlow cut through two defenders to score the seventh of his side’s 10 tries.
“Lewis is relentless in everything he does,” said Morgan. “The players around him cannot ask any more of him and he has become calculated when he goes into a breakdown or makes a tackle.”
Morgan has returned to bolster Gloucester’s bid to make the play-offs and started Friday night’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Saracens at Kingsholm. “The boys have been going exceptionally well and it is a difficult back row to break into,” said Morgan, who started the Premiership campaign with four tries in as many matches.
“I have been grateful for any opportunity to get back on the field and give my all. I have to do everything when I am picked and make sure I empty my tank. The way this team is we are all cogs. “We work hard for each other and if you are not selected, you do your best to prepare the team that is picked. We are a tight bunch and want to work hard for each other and for everyone to do well.” It is George Skivington’s second full season in charge as head coach and after loitering near the bottom of the table last season, they have been in contention for a play-off spot after a run of one defeat in eight matches followed defeats to Northampton and Leicester on the first two weekends.
“Skivs’ message is very simple,” said Morgan. “He expects you to give your all and be physical and relentless. I have played for coaches who looked to add intricacy and things became a little complicated, but now drills are paying off and everyone is on the same page.
“It is no coincidence that our maul has been such a threat this season because we work on it over and over in training. I suspect that most teams in the league will practise defending mauls before they play us, but it is not our only weapon.
“In my opinion, we have the most exciting back three in the league. We have outstanding attacking players who pose threats from everywhere and it is a reason why we have everything to play for in the final weeks of the season.”