Youngs backs fearless England to make electric start to World Cup
England scrum-half Ben Youngs has backed his side to unleash a crescendo of pent-up anticipation when their Rugby World Cup campaign gets underway against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday.
Youngs is set to make his 50th international appearance as England bid for a successful start to the tournament against a team who are ranked No9 in the world rankings and were last month crowned Pacific Nations Cup champions.
All results, performances and movements have been analysed through the prism of the World Cup, and the 29-year-old insists such a lengthy countdown will intensity their desire to begin the tournament with a bang.
“If we continue to build emotionally for the next couple of days, I’ve no doubt we’ll come out of the blocks on Friday absolutely flying,” said Youngs. “There’s a real edge and intensity about us. No nervousness, just excitement.
“From the moment we got back from the New Zealand tour last summer we knew this was coming. It’s been a long wait for a lot of guys, so we can’t wait to get out there.
“We have a young group of guys who have no fear. They’re too young to have any fear.”
Youngs, however, is mindful of the danger posed by Fiji, which is reflected by them harbouring in their squad the highest try-scorers from the world’s three main club competitions from the 2013-14 season – centre Niki Goneva, wing Nemani Nadolo and full-back Metuisela Talebula.