Tom Youngs is set to complete a remarkable transformation in his rugby career after being named to make his Test debut in an inexperienced England side against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Leicester hooker started his career at centre but was converted into a front-row forward under the guidance of then Tigers coach Heyneke Meyer, now in charge of South Africa.
Youngs, 25, is now in line to become the third member of his family to play international rugby union for England with younger brother Ben, a 24-times capped scrum-half, on the bench this weekend as back-up to Danny Care.
Nick Youngs, the brothers’ father, won six caps at scrum-half from 1983-84.
England coach Stuart Lancaster gave Tom Youngs his chance after an injury to Dylan Hartley that threatens to sideline the New Zealand-born hooker from the whole of England’s European autumn international campaign.
In the backs, Ugo Monye will make his comeback on the left wing in place of the injured Ben Foden while Charlie Sharples deputises for the suspended Chris Ashton on the right wing.
There are five changes in all from the England side that drew 14-14 last time out against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in June, with flanker Chris Robshaw returning to captain the side after missing that match with a broken hand.
The uncapped pair of Saracens prop Mako Vunipola and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury are in line to make their Test debuts off the bench.
Fly-half Toby Flood is the most experienced player in the England side with 50 caps and the starting line-up boasts just 215 Test appearances in total.
Saturday’s match is the first of an autumn campaign that also sees England at home to southern hemisphere giants Australia (November 17), South Africa (November 24) and world champions New Zealand (December 1).
How they fare will determine whether 2015 World Cup hosts England maintain, or indeed improve, on the fourth place they currently hold in the world rankings that will ensure they are one of the top seeds when the draw for the next edition of rugby’s global showpiece takes place in December.
England: Alex Goode, Charlie Sharples, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, Ugo Monye, Toby Flood, Danny Care, Thomas Waldrom, Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Johnson, Geoff Parling, Tom Palmer, Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Joe Marler. Replacements: David Paice, David Wilson, Mako Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Tom Wood, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown
Ben.S
Roar Guru
In some quarters Youngs is being painted as this parallel Schalk Brits, which he patently isn't (nor even a Richardt Strauss). I do think he's fiery and I did note Geoff Parling in Rugby World stating how effective a tackler he is, but I just can't see him offering that much in comparison to the SH hookers (granted they are very good). I've long been a critic of Hartley, but IMO he really developed on the SA tour (tackling technique aside) and continued that progression prior to his injury. I do think he's a huge loss and personally I would start Paice and Wood which I think would really bolster our lineout and re-start game, which is an area which SA and Australia might be vulnerable in, and in which NZ has shown big improvement this past RC. In all honesty I think Youngs is a bit of a gimmick, VC.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
I like the Youngs selection. England have lacked ball carriers in the pack for some time now and Youngs has the potential to offer some real "go forward". He also seems to be tremendously aggressive - another attribute I think England have lacked. It's a risky selection given his throwing, admittedly, but the pay-off is potentially significant, imo. I agree with your other points. I like Wood but he's been underwhelming since he came back from injury.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Hmm... Personally I would have started Paice, as I think he is much better at the core hooking duties than Youngs is. I think it would have made sense to ease Youngs in, although clearly Lancaster is going to start him against Australia, so I guess he's nailed his flag to the mast. Two 5 locks at 4, although they both performed well in SA, and Lawes is injured. Confused as to why Wood is on the bench? He is basically a 6 masquerading as a 7 and is not an impact sub in any shape or form. Johnson did very well in SA, but would offer much more impact off the bench. Either start Wood or drop him for Haskell. Just don't see the logic in playing him off the bench unless Lancaster is trying to integrate him back into Test rugby. Glad Barritt is there. Not sure Tuilagi-Joseph is going to work and Barritt is the defensive lynchpin that England need, even if he is pretty mediocre in terms of skills. I'd have liked to have seen Twelvetrees given a chance, but such is life. Not sold on Sharples, but Ashton is suspended... Looking forward to seeing Vunipola, Wilson, Launchbury and Ben Youngs off the bench.