Jason Leonard feels England must focus on performance – Rugby News Update
Jason Leonard, the former England prop, feels that England should focus on the manner of play rather than the result on the tour of South Africa.
Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, takes a 42-man team to the southern hemisphere to play a three-match test series, starting on June 9, alongside two other mid-week games during the gruelling summer tour.
Lancaster has named many uncapped players in the touring party, and Leonards thinks that the debutants will shine, especially Joe Marler, the Harlequins prop. Marler had a great season, as the Quins won their first Aviva Premiership title this year. He will
take a lot of confidence into the tour and the former prop feels it is only time before he starts knocking on Lancaster’s door for a starting place.
However, Leonard is also off the opinion that no one is bothered about the results, rather what is important is the manner of play.
"I don't think there's anything definitive in regards of wins for England, I think it's basically got to be all about the performance," he told
ESPNscrum. "We saw England grow and play some great rugby in the Six Nations. They got better and better as the tournament wore on. They improved from where they were after the disastrous World Cup campaign in New Zealand. The only criteria that you've
got to look for is that performance."
England had a disastrous 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand but they improved during the 2012 Six Nations, coming second behind eventual winners, Wales. It is all about improving for England at the moment.
Leonard feels that any win will be good but England should build up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Even if they lose 3-0, but the manner of the defeat is not damaging, Leonard feels that will also be an improvement.
Playing in hostile conditions such as South Africa will also be good for the new players, and it will be an experience which will hold them in good stead for the future. The Springboks will make it tough with their aggressive plays, and it is an amazing
tour to be part off.
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