Wing king Anthony Watson has hero Quade Cooper in his sights
Watson revealed that as a youngster in the London Irish academy he was a huge admirer of Quade Cooper, who is currently battling with Bernard Foley for the Wallaby No.10 jersey.
Bath flier Watson told The Rugby Paper: “Growing up I looked up to quite a few wingers and full-backs, with Jason Robinson being someone I really admired, but I wouldn’t just put my development as a player down to looking only at wingers.
“I studied players who had great footwork and the ability to make something happen out of nowhere and I really looked up to Quade Cooper, whose footwork when he was setting the world alight four or five years ago was simply unbelievable.
“I tried to emulate a lot of what Quade did and I think some of that rubbed off, while in Rugby League Benji Marshall was another guy who always impressed me. I’ve taken something from all those people and tried to add it to my game.”
An England U20s World Cup winner in 2013, Watson’s game went to a different level after he joined Bath that year and he looks certain to make England’s World Cup squad after being a regular since his debut against New Zealand last November.
Pace, power, footwork, a complete skill-set and versatility in being able to perform equally comfortably at wing or full-back mark Watson down as something special – a player who could light up the World Cup if given the opportunity.
“I’ve got nine caps now and with every game I’m building my confidence,” he said. “In the first few autumn internationals I felt I developed and then in the Six Nations, bar the French game, I was pretty happy with my overall performances.
“Against France I made a couple of errors I wasn’t happy with, but I’ve learnt from that and am hoping to just continue now. Playing at the highest level can only increase my confidence and I’m really relishing being in this environment.
“We don’t know about final selection yet so you’ve just got to keep focussing on training and not get too far ahead of yourself, because if you start thinking about the World Cup you can forget about the here and now and will not be selected.
“I’m just concentrating on putting myself in the best possible position and hopefully my versatility helps. I’m equally comfortable in both positions, wing or full-back, and that might come in handy when the coaches make their decisions.”
Watson’s stellar rise hit a speed bump in May when he was forced off early against Saracens in the Premiership final, the victim of a high shot by England colleague Owen Farrell that left him concussed.
He insists there are no grudges but remains mortified by memories of his side’s defeat, which condemned Bath to a seventh season without silverware.
He said: “You step on the field knowing you’ll get hurt sometimes. For it to happen in a final was obviously very disappointing, but Owen didn’t mean it and he apologised straight afterwards.
“It was a tough loss to take and falling at the final hurdle as we did was a horrible feeling. We showed what we could do in the Premiership but it was massively disappointing for everyone to end the season that way.
“We’d obviously have liked to have lifted the Premiership trophy so to see another team do it when we’d got so close was gut-wrenching. That said, we’re a young team who’ll be back again next season and motivation will be very high.”
As England head into their first World Cup warm-up against France next Saturday, Watson claims training could not have gone any better.
He added: “It’s the hardest pre-season I’ve ever known and even someone like James Haskell, who’s been through a lot more of them than me, says it’s the toughest he’s had, but in a strange sort of way that’s made it much more enjoyable.
“Going through brutal training sessions like we did in Denver, and again now at Pennyhill Park, means everyone has to buy into it and breaking new barriers in fitness together is where guys pull for each other and strong bonds are made.
“Now the heat is on and everyone is pushing for places. It’s sad to see guys leave the camp but nobody is under any illusions and you just have to crack on while you’re still involved and take your opportunities, which is my big aim now.”
NEALE HARVEY
