Twice as nice for Ben Youngs after post-Lions struggle
Youngs, 25, candidly concedes he fell out of love with the game in the aftermath of that successful 2013 tour, when fatigue and a constant diet of rugby conspired to wear him down.
But he claims to be “twice the player” now for the experience, telling The Rugby Paper: “I’ve worked hard to get back to where I was two years ago and I’ve been really pleased to start in an England shirt again.
“Last season was tough – I was struggling. Games were coming thick and fast and it had been a long season the year before, with very little off season after the Lions.
“It was straight back into the grind of pre-season and then back onto the pitch. My love of the game went and I struggled mentally and physically.
“But I feel twice the player now for coming through that experience. My knowledge is better, the way I look at games, prepare and review them is different now – less intense – and I’m glad I went through all that because I feel a better player for it.
“I’ve found my real love of the game again and have recaptured the motivation that first got me into an England shirt in 2010. It’s just about going out there and expressing yourself – I’d come away from that and it just took me a while to realise it.”
On renewing acquaintances with fly-half George Ford and the fight he faces to keep the England jersey through to RWC 2015, Youngs adds: “Against Samoa it was the first 80 minutes we’d had together since our European games for Leicester two years ago.
“We’re pleased with how it went and we’ve started to get our partnership going again. As well as having a good kicking game, George is very good at taking the ball to the line and challenging defenders and he can be proud of his performances.
“We’ve both got to build on that as we know guys like Danny Care, Owen Farrell and others will keep competing for the shirt, but that brings the best out in everyone.
“There’s been a bit of chopping and changing but the most important thing for me now is to grab the shirt and put down a marker.
“Away from that, at club level, you’ve got to be playing well week-in, week-out and it’s a big month coming up for Tigers. We’ve got Toulon back-to-back and we have to make sure we focus on our form and get the results we need.”
Youngs concedes England’s autumn form could have been better, explaining: “The frustrating thing is we went into every game feeling we could win – and we haven’t.
“We’re creating opportunities but haven’t finished as many as we needed to. We’re creating four chances and maybe finishing one while South Africa and New Zealand create four but finish at least three of them.
“That’s where we need to be, but I don’t think we’re far off and you’ve seen the impact Jonny May and Anthony Watson have made in attack.
“Jonny’s had a really good autumn and Anthony Watson is a great talent who has now got his chance to shine. He showed superb footwork and speed against Samoa and the competition for those wing spots is going to be huge ahead of the World Cup.”
Whilst Freddie Burns has dropped down England’s fly-half pecking order, Youngs is keen to renew acquaintances with the former Gloucester man this week and is backing his new clubmate to recapture his best form at Welford Road.
“I don’t know if Freddie’s struggling to settle in, it’s more just a continuity thing,” says Youngs. “One minute he’s playing with me, the next it’s David Mele, and Anthony Allen’s had time out injured while Owen Williams is new to the No.12 shirt.
“It’s been one of those starts for Leicester where anything that could go wrong has, and whenever anyone comes to a new club it takes time to settle. But Freddie’s had a couple of great games for us – Exeter away springs to mind – and when everyone’s fit I think he’ll blossom.”
Youngs welcomes the appointment of former All Black Aaron Mauger as Leicester’s new head coach from next summer, saying: “I had a great time playing with Aaron between 2007 and 2010. His knowledge of the game is second to none. He’s a great addition to the club and it really shows our intentions.”
As for England’s World Cup prospects, Youngs adds: “The expectation is high, not just because the World Cup is near but because of how close we’re pushing teams like New Zealand and South Africa.
“We want to win every game but we’ve also got to learn our lessons along the way and with the competition we’ve got throughout the squad and guys coming back from injury, there’s massive belief that we’re moving in the right direction.”
NEALE HARVEY
