The Future of the New Dawn: England Under 20s Prepare for 2012

Much has been made over the past month of Stuart Lancaster’s interim regime, the new dawn brightening the gloom of what was, in many ways, a decidedly gloomy Rugby World Cup for England. Naming his first Elite Player Squad last Wednesday, the Yorkshire schoolteacher reaffirmed a pressing need for change. Nine men without a single cap was the most striking statistic, with the recall for Charlie Hodgson provided another talking point. However, Lancaster’s transformation is by no means hasty. His clean slate stands upon a very sturdy, well-ordered roof.

Though Martin Johnson’s senior England side ended 2011 in a cloud of ignominy and off-field debacles, the Under 20s enjoyed a glorious year. A comprehensive Six Nations Grand Slam was completed in March with a 46-15 demolition of Ireland in Athlone. Then, on June 26, they came within ten points of upsetting New Zealand at the final of the Junior World Cup in Italy. It was a scoreline that flattered the Baby Blacks, who are yet to lose in the four years of the tournament so far, and, quite rightly, the accolades flooded in for Rob Hunter’s charges.

Unsurprisingly, the stars of the season have remained in the spotlight. Electric London Wasps winger Christian Wade has already scored seven tries in the Aviva Premiership so far this season. Owen Farrell is almost certain to make his full international debut against Scotland next month. In October, George Ford became the first ever man from these shores to be named IRB Young Player of the Year after conducting operations with immense composure and skill from fly-half.
 

Remarkably still 18, Ford will form the backbone of this year’s squad as one of eleven players to return to the setup. In light of Lancaster’s evident trust in the system – many of his senior squad were previously junior internationals – it is a great chance to prove one’s worth to the powers that be, starting with their first assignment against Scotland on February 3. Another of the key men of 2011, London Irish wing Marland Yarde, is eager to get going.

“The World Cup was an amazing experience, but we need to keep what happened at the back of our minds,” he says from the Under 20s base at Guildford, admirably aware of the perils of complacency despite his relative youth. “There are a lot of new guys and there is a great chance to go one better than we managed last year.”

One intriguing aspect of age group rugby is marked difference of circumstances that the players converge from. For instance, only a dislocated shoulder sustained at the start of the Premiership campaign denied Yarde a role for his club in this season’s Heineken Cup. Conversely, having left school in July before signing his first professional contract with Harlequins, Charlie Walker has been on loan at Championship outfit Esher. Unsurprisingly, though, his enthusiasm towards linking up with head coach Hunter and his newly appointed assistant Nick Walshe is just as ardent.

“Everyone of our backs are decision makers and good ball carriers,” explains a confident Walker, a sparky runner who is equally adept at centre or wing. “Throughout the age group sides I have played in, the coaches really let you play. I know that Nick Walshe is confident that anyone of us will be able to create something or put somebody into space. That freedom really suits me.

“From his time at Bedord, Walshey is also aware of what it is like to play in the Championship – it can be difficult if you are on the back foot the whole time. I speak to him about once a week to have a catch up. He has got a good idea of what he wants to do.”

Another of the squad members fresh out of school is Nick Auterac, a Saracens prop who has just returned from a week in South Africa with the Premiership champions. Trading tips on the scrum with the likes of John Smit and Matthew Stevens is now just part of the day job. Even so, England’s call is still extremely special.

“It will certainly a proud moment if I get to pull on that shirt,” says Auterac, who braved blistering temperatures of 37ºC while facing Stellenbosch University for Saracens Storm last Wednesday. “Though we are not used to playing together, it’s fun to compare yourself to the best in the world.”

Perhaps the most poignant mark of maturity in Auterac’s words come when I ask him about the impending prospect of a battle with the Auld Enemy. The 19 year-old is already far too astute for frenzied patriotism.

“I don’t get into any of that,” Auterac smiles diplomatically. “It’s up to me to just keep my head down and play well, as I would in any other game. I’ve played Scotland at Under 18 level I know that they are especially tough to beat, especially on their own patch.”

Walshe, himself a full international who won two caps for England back in 2006, cuts a very relaxed figure and is refreshingly honest about the responsibilities he has been entrusted with. Rather than regimenting his charges, the former Harlequins, Saracens, Sale Sharks and Bath scrum-half, seems keen to achieve his developmental and performance goals much more organically.

“I am not going to harness the players at all,” explains Walshe, who was appointed as an Elite coach by the RFU in August. “I want to see what they can do without any shackles. Obviously, they have to realise that we are not going to play sevens – I will give them an attacking framework – but it’s up to them to be rugby players.

“They need to be brave enough to make their own decisions because, if they don’t make mistakes, they won’t learn. It’s important that they need to express themselves and be brave.”

Lancaster is shrewd enough to keep his eye on his junior setup throughout 2012 as the England Under 20s first confront the Six Nations before attempting to seize the Junior World Cup in South Africa. With a bit of luck, this summer he might be able to add a golden horizon to his clean slate.