England's Earl on a quest to achieve world-class status

Published date14 March 2024
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
England's number eight was named official man of the match for the second time in this Guinness Six Nations after providing the tip of the spear in Saturday's 23-22 upset of Andy Farrell's defending champions

Using a combination of speed, power and footwork, he carried 19 times for 140 metres and crossed for a vital second-half try as he continues to prove an unstoppable force from close range.

While the 26-year-old Saracen says he is aiming for world-class status, his overall stats after four rounds of the Six Nations are evidence he is already there - more carries than any other player, second behind Ireland's James Lowe for metres carried and sixth for metres gained.

But as the tournament's most potent forward in attack, he heads to Lyon for Saturday's clash with France aiming to elevate another essential part of his game.

"Ben can get a lot better," said England's head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters, who described Earl's ability to move laterally and then 'punch forward immediately' as his point of difference.

"He was happy with his performance in attack at the weekend but disappointed with his performance in defence. So his ceiling is way off.

"Ben is striving to become one of those players on the world stage. I remember the term 'superior discontent'. That is what Ben has. It will be good to watch how he progresses." Earl was an outsider for England in the build-up to the World Cup with all 15 of his caps won as a replacement, but by the end of the competition he had emerged as the squad's standout player.

That form has continued into the Six

Nations despite the interruption of a knee injury...

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