RBS 6 Nations
Twickenham 12/02/11
England 59, Italy 13
YOUNG at heart and young in age – England’s on-form No 9 produced one of the more matured displays seen at Twickenham in recent years, and one of the best in Six Nations rugby.
It had “2003” ringing in the ears of English rugby fans everywhere on Saturday.
Those comments are usually saved for wishful thinkers, but this time they are not so speculative.
Never mind Chris Ashton's quadruple score, Toby Flood’s electrifying line-breaks, or even some backhand showboating from No 8 Nick Easter – none of these magical moments are possible without a captain at the helm to steer them.
For years, England have requested a scrum half who can dictate play. A scrum half who can produce fast ball from the ruck with eagle-eye precision.
And it seems they have found one with some added nous that even fully-seasoned and highly-capped heads have rarely shown.
England have upped the ante at the scrum and are at last playing flat on the gain line.
But the cohesion, speed and effortlessness shown against Italy on Saturday was born from the ingredients that define Ben Youngs, which unmistakenly make him one of the most exciting rugby players on the planet.
It’s early days yet, I hear you cry, but ask yourself this: when did England last play to Ben Youngs’ example?
Against Italy on Saturday, and in Cardiff eight days earlier, he was outstanding.
Pundits usually question a scrum half that likes to roam, but while 21-year-old Youngs not only produces fast, accurate, and punishing ball from the breakdown, he is also searching for weaknesses in his opponent’s armoury; the gaps that allow Toby Flood to make his breathtaking runs, and the chinks that are broken by England’s power men.
What more do you want from a No 9? Regardless of the the number of caps under his belt.
The philosophy used to be: put 50 points on Italy, they don’t deserve anything less.
The last time that happened was eight long seasons ago, and there were signs that the then captain Martin Johnson has re-instilled the same mentality in England’s game today as they put an extra nine on the Azzurri this weekend.
Flood was guided through the heart of the Italian defence after some scanning by his inside half, and Chris Ashton was unleashed seconds later for a dive under the post, minutes after kick off.
Ashton twisted and twirled over the line after an England build up manufactured by Youngs, then Mark Cueto broke a 19 test duck in off Flood’s inside.
Nick Easter confirmed Sergio Parisse isn’t the only flamboyant No 8 in the business with a silky backhand pass to set up interim-captain Mike Tindall.
Following the break, tries from James Haskell, Young’s replacement Danny Care, and only a couple more for cheeky Ashton, completed the rout.
Azzurri hooker Fabio Ongaro also touched down for Italy’s only try, grounding from the rolling maul.
England did lose turnover ball at times. For the most part, they played in pairs in midfield to guarantee quick ball, and they created angles of running that cut chunks out of the Italian guard.
Chris Ashton was named RBS 6 Nations man of the match, and the first man to score four tries in a Five/Six Nations test at Twickenham since 1914.
It is safe to say, England are on a ruthless high.
The Grand Slam is on – you won’t need reminding. But that will depend much on the form of our provider in the middle.
Ben Youngs continues in this vain, anything is possible for this England side in 2011.
Sunday 13 February 2011
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