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Our Personal Rugby Adventures
What are you doing for the world cup? Got a grandstand going on? Touring to NZ? Biggest barbie ever?
Cole content with more responsibility 16 views 0 Images
09 June 2012 by Englandfan
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England prop Dan Cole admits that he is surprised to be one of the more experienced players on the current tour of South Africa.
The Leicester forward is only 25 but, since is the youthful nature of the squad Stuart Lancaster has put together, that he finds himself imparting his knowledge and wisdom to the international newcomers. Because of the relative inexperience in the side, the sports betting has England as outsiders against the Springboks.
Cole, who has established himself as England's first-choice tight head over the past two years, has represented his country on 28 occasions, but now finds himself surrounded by 13 uncapped players.
He said:"You do feel slightly older when you look around and see a lot of younger guys. But in the front row positions, players like Dylan Hartley, myself and Lee Mears, we are the senior guys. You have got to take that on.
"The tighthead's job is scrummage and you have to lead that area of the field. I wouldn't say I was established or experienced, but there is more responsibility."
Cole will come up against the Springboks loose head Tendai Mtawarira in Saturday’s first Test in Durban and the tussle between the two men could be instrumental in the final result.
England are hoping to build on their impressive Six Nations campaign in the spring when they were only beaten by Wales while securing fine victories over France,Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
Lancaster was handed the permanent head coach role on the back of England’s good performances in the Six Nations, which were in sharp contrast to the disastrous World Cup campaign under Martin Johnson’s guidance when a string of lurid off-pitch controversies dominated the headlines. If that improvement continues, then the pre-tour betting may well be proved wrong.
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