Watson all set for his giant-sized challenge

Anthony Watson believes England can slay the giant and power on to great things when the World Cup begins at Twickenham on Friday.
Fiji‘s Nemani Nadolo is one of the most feared players on the planet, with his Joma Lomu-build and crunching speed, but Watson is relishing the challenge against the Crusaders wing who stands 6ft 4ins and weighs near 20st and has had a scintillating season in the Super 15.
“I’ve played against big boys in the past with the likes of George North,” Watson said. “Playing against someone like that is something I look forward to.
“Trying to impose my game on him would be a massive challenge and an opportunity I’d try to take with both hands.
“That is why a lot of us play rugby – that physical confrontation. That is something I relish going into the game.
“There are going to be other wingers who will be big like Nadolo so it is important for us to know that we can perform against those players.”
Watson, 21, has been the revelation of the season for England, scoring four tries in his last three games including the devastating double against France at Twickenham.
“Fiji is going to be a tough game,” he added. “If we win narrowly or by a huge margin a win is a win in the World Cup. We all understand it is not an opportunity we are going to get twice so everyone is massively excited.
“North is up there with the best I’ve faced – a big, physical opponent – but the toughest I’ve had to defend against was David Lemi.
“I found him pretty tough at Worcester and Bristol – he has such good footwork. But when I played against him in the Samoa game last autumn and I felt pretty comfortable. I had done my homework on him so I felt ready.
“Fiji have game breakers across the field so it is massively important to make sure we do our homework and that come Friday everyone is ready.”
Bath winger Watson has the acceleration and footwork to scare the best. And, as a former football striker, he likens his try-scoring to taking that one shot in front of goal.
“It is important for us to be able to finish when we get the opportunity.  As a winger you have got to take those chances.”
His understanding with George Ford will be crucial to England’s chances as demonstrated by the communication to set up his try against Ireland.
“I’d told George if we got a penalty I was going to the touchline. As soon as the referee put his hand up George and me were on the same wavelength.”
Watson remembers the Jonny Wilkinson moment from 2003. “I was nine and watching TV at home. All I can remember is the drop-goal and jumping up and down on the sofa.
“Jonny and Jason Robinson were the guys I really admired – Robinson because of his ability to change the game pretty rapidly and the way the crowd expected something to happen every time he got the ball.
“It has been a dream of mine to represent my country since I was seven and to be able to do that, especially at a World Cup, is a massive privilege. I don’t want to waste the opportunity.”
MATTHEW EMERY