Lozowski is ready to state case for England

Alex Lozowski has declared himself ready to stake a claim for England‘s coveted No.10 jersey on the back of a stellar first season at Saracens.
Lozowski has yet to be capped, but having been named in England’s squad for June’s demanding tour of Argentina, the 23-year-old will have a chance to prove why Red Rose boss Eddie Jones rates his instinctive playmaking abilities so highly.
After being involved in England’s training squads throughout the autumn and Six Nations, waiting patiently behind Owen Farrell and George Ford, his first international tour offers a chance Lozowski now fully intends to seize.
He told The Rugby Paper: “It’s a case of trying to take my opportunity with both hands now. If that chance does come in Argentina – and I really hope it does – I’ll try to do all the things Eddie wants and lead England from that No.10 jersey.
“When I first joined up with the England squad last autumn it was like, ‘wow, it’s just good to be here’. But after that it quickly changes and you want to contribute, so it’ll be a great opportunity to go to Argentina and really stamp a mark.
“It was a good learning experience for me getting in there, picking up things from different players and coaches and challenging myself, so it’s about doing the right things now to make that next step and see where I am at Test match level.”
Lozowski added: “I’ve never done a big tour like this before. I didn’t do any age-group rugby with England whilst at Leeds or Wasps so this will be my very first international tour of any kind, but it’s a challenge I feel ready for and really want to take on.
“It’s going to be a really hard couple of games against an Argentina team that excelled at the last World Cup and competes well in the Rugby Championship. They’re such a proud rugby nation with great players, but we’ll go there confident.”
Whilst Lozowski’s place-kicking stats are below those of club-mate Farrell – 73 per cent success rate falls significantly short of the latter’s 80 per cent-plus at all levels – he offers different skills according to Sarries kicking guru Dan Vickers, below.
Vickers told TRP: “Alex is very different to Owen in that he has a unique ability to break with the sharpness off the line he’s been blessed with. He has a natural hand-off, which is a great weapon, and he offers a great running option.
“He’s had a taste of being in and around the England squad and has always come back vibrant about what he’s learned, so it’ll be exciting for him to get an opportunity and I’ve no doubt he’ll do what he’s done at Saracens and really grab it.”
Lozowski’s value to Saracens was demonstrated perfectly in Farrell’s absence at Northampton last Sunday, when his quick-thinking ability to break the line and then make correct attacking decisions inspired a come-from-behind 27-25 win.
Saracens lie just two points behind second-placed Exeter, with Lozowski confident his side can go on to claim a third successive Premiership title.
He said: “That result at Northampton said everything about us. We made nine changes and left out big players, but while other teams might have been looking at who was missing, it’s not like that here.
“It’s always positive and we embrace the boys who are playing and believe in whoever steps in. We’re still behind the top two and I don’t know what they’re thinking, but all we can do now is keep putting pressure on to close the gap.
“There are two games left, against Bristol and Wasps, and we’ll finish where we do, but whether we get a home semi-final or not we’ll believe we can get a result anywhere. We’ll fight tooth and nail for that third Premiership title.”
After that, an England tour – a far cry from last season when Lozowski struggled for crumbs of game time at Wasps.
He added: “It’s been a hugely enjoyable season for me. The team and everybody at Saracens has helped me settle in quickly and I can’t thank them enough. We’ve had lots of fun and what’s followed with England is a big bonus.”
NEALE HARVEY