South Africa v England: Stuart Lancaster set to start Jonathan Joseph against …
“The professional life took a bit to get used to but I did eventually knuckle
down,” Joseph said on Monday. “Everyone here is pushing for a Test spot and
if it were to come along then you’ve got to grab it. It’s been great to see
that Stuart trusts youngsters, such as Manu and Owen, to perform. When a
coach backs you like that, it gives you confidence.”
Joseph is not intimidated by the big occasion, scoring two tries in a
30-minute appearance from the bench for England against the Barbarians a
fortnight ago.
“JJ hardly ever makes an error, that’s one of the things that marks him out,”
said Mike Catt, his former coach at London Irish and now in charge of
England’s attack. “Even against the Barbarians, when the game was
unstructured, he made the right decisions. His poor game is a very good
average game for everyone else. His offloading ability is unbelievable and
he can make those outside arcing breaks. I have no doubt that when he gets
his chance that he has the ability to do something.”
All bar two players, wing Ugo Monye and prop Alex Corbisiero (likely to be on
bench duty in the second Test), will have had a run-out by the time on
Wednesday’s match is over. England have named a new line-up from the one
that lost the first Test. The side is captained by Harlequins lock George
Robson, a notable double for the London club with Chris Robshaw the tour
captain.
Another Harlequin, scrum-half Danny Care, gets his first outing in an England
shirt since last August,
Category: Africa News
