Six Nations Rugby Home
 
 
 
 
Get Super Rugby results on your phone
Check out the Super Rugby shop
Super Rugby News By Team
What will the Super15 format look like?
News on the proposed 15th Team

England's Youngs looking to beat Dad's record

Article Published: Wednesday 10 March 2010

Email Article | | Print Article


Ben Youngs, England's latest call-up, will lay claim to family bragging rights if he helps fashion a win against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Manager Martin Johnson has called up the 20-year-old to the bench for the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield, ahead of London Irish's Paul Hodgson, after a sparkling season at club level for Leicester.

Youngs's father, Nick, also a scrum-half, played for England in 1984 when they were beaten 18-6 by Scotland at Murrayfield - his only Calcutta Cup match in a six-Test career.

And Ben will be reminding him of that fact if he earns a first cap this weekend and England win for the first time in Scotland since 2004.

"If we win up there I will text him and let him know," Youngs junior told reporters at England's training base on Tuesday.

"My whole family are really proud and I am sure my dad is booking a flight to Edinburgh now.

"I have never really thought about what he achieved and he has always been very relaxed about me playing. He says if I want to do it then 'okay' but it would not be a worry if I didn't. I have never had that sort of pressure."

Ben Youngs represented England at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 level before progressing to the Saxons, the national 'A' side and he has also played for his country at sevens.

However, the 20-year-old admitted he had been shocked by his rapid promotion to the starting 22 for this weekend - although he stressed he had no problems settling into the senior squad.

"Martin Johnson came and pulled me aside and said: 'You're on the bench at the weekend'. My response straight away was that Leicester have actually not got a game this weekend so I have got the week off.

"There was a five second pause before I actually realised what he meant - it shows that I really wasn't expecting it and it has taken me totally by surprise.

"I have been playing at Leicester (Johnson's old club) and playing in some fairly big games and things have accelerated far quicker than I would have imagined.

"Luckily I get on really well with a lot of the Leicester players - there is Lewis Moody and Johnno (Johnson) to speak to - so if I do start to worry and want to find out what it is like to play in a Test match they are very approachable men. They will be very quick to offer me advice -on that front I am very relaxed.

"You always dream about representing England and you come here and you are just happy to be here. It was tough meeting everyone for the first time - especially at my age - saying hello to guys that have won World Cups and achieved so much.

"But they are all really top guys and I can't thank them enough for making me settle in easily."

Johnson added: "He is an instinctive player, pretty talented and pretty fast and he has handled everything we have thrown at him. He was surprised when I told him he was on the bench. He has got a lot of skill but it was tough call on Paul Hodgson.

"There was a lot made locally in Leicester when (France's) Julien Dupuy left at the end of the last season. But they knew they had a young player to take that slot.

"He got his chance, with Harry Ellis being injured, and his basic skills have held up in big games like those against the Ospreys and Clermont."

 

Latest Rugby News from Rugbyweek.com

(All links here will take you to Rugbyweek.com)

B&I Lions name new Director of Operations
The British and Irish Lions have announced the appointment of Guy Richardson as Director of Operations for the 2013 Tour to Australia.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps preview
All Blacks looking for 10th straight Wallaby win
Back and Key extend contracts with Leeds

Latest England News

RFU Boss to invest heavily for England success
The RFU's new chief executive John Steele has vowed that no expense will be spared in getting England back to the top of the world rankings.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
England cannot take a backward step: Leonard
Another England blow for Borthwick
England can challenge the All Blacks: Flutey

Latest France Rugby News

Jauzion to retire after 2011 Rugby World Cup
France and Toulouse centre Yannick Jauzion has announced that he will end his international career with France after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
France must have patience : Poitrenaud
France looking to end season on a high
France lose their fly half for Argentina

Latest Ireland News

Ireland drop O'Gara to the bench for Australia
Ronan O'Gara has been dropped ot the bench for what could be his 100th Test cap in Ireland's final game of the season against Australia.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
New Zealand Maori beat Ireland
Murphy to captain Ireland against NZ Maori
Heaslip banned for five weeks for kneeing

Latest Italy Rugby News

Italy target Ireland & Australia at RWC 2011
Italy's coach Nick Mallet says that he is aiming for Italy to reach their first ever Rugby World cup Quarter final next year in New Zealand.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
Parisse returns to captain Italy against Boks
Italy lose centre Andrea Masi for Wales clash
Gower warns Italy of wounded Wales team

Latest Scotland News

Smit's focus will be on the game, not 100th cap
In what will be an emotional moment despite denials to the contrary, Springbok captain John Smit will run on in his 100th Test on Saturday when South Africa play the All Blacks in a Tri-Nations Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
Scotland beat Argentina in Mar del Plata
Parks boots Scotland to victory over Argentina
Scotland to take on All Blacks, Boks & Samoa

Latest Wales Rugby News

Mixed messages from Henson and Wales
Gavin Henson has been on unpaid leave from his club, the Ospreys for 18 months but that hasn't stopped the Welsh Rugby Union from choosing him to front their new shirt campaign.
Read more on this Six Nations Rugby news article

Other recent news
Henson to target 2011 World Cup for Wales
Gatland to decide on Wales future this month
English Premiership clubs interested in Henson