‘Best hooker’ Tom Youngs will be back predicts Louis Deacon
Leicester man Youngs, below, a stand-out Lions tourist in 2013, was the headline victim of a cull by new Red Rose boss Eddie Jones that included other senior stalwarts such as Tom Wood, Brad Barritt, Geoff Parling, Davey Wilson and Ben Morgan.
Former Tigers teammate Deacon told The Rugby Paper: “I can’t believe Tom’s been left out. He’s the best hooker in the Premiership by a mile.
“A few people have opinions that he can’t throw and can’t hook the ball because he’s too lightweight, but I played with the man and they’re both strengths, while his ball-carrying, tackling around the field and work-rate are outstanding.”
Youngs successfully completed 24 of 26 lineouts in poor conditions against Northampton last week and ex-England lock Deacon added: “I don’t think people understand what makes a lineout, it’s not just about the hooker, it’s others too.
“It’s the lifting, the call and the drill…everything has to come together for the lineout to function, so to say Tom can’t throw is garbage.
“But now he’s out of the squad he’s just got to get his head down at Leicester and keep playing the way he is, because eventually England will take notice again. The amount of involvements he has in games makes him impossible to ignore.”
Deacon, meanwhile, is looking to make his mark in coaching after being appointed as a lineout specialist by Championship outfit Moseley.
Since retiring through injury last February, Deacon has assisted Spain‘s national team and Rugby Lions, but is relishing his first major challenge.
Moseley are rooted at the foot of tier two, but Deacon said: “Relegation is not in our minds and I’m sure we will soon start climbing the table.
“Moseley have been having trouble with their set-piece and I’m pleased this chance came up.
“They’re good guys at Moseley and it’s great to be back involved.”
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