As a coach, sometimes you see something in a young player which makes you stop and go: ‘Wow!’ It can be a piece of skill in training or a match or their demeanour which stands out. These are the moments you live for when you’re in charge of a team.
I was fortunate to work with some incredible English talents, one of which was Jonny Wilkinson. I gave an 18-year-old Wilkinson his Test debut against Ireland in 1998. Was he ready to play internationally at that point? Probably not. But was it the right thing to do? Undoubtedly, yes.
It is easy to say that now, given what Wilkinson went on to achieve. But even if he hadn’t become one of the best players England has ever seen, I’d have still made the same call.
In Wilkinson, I saw a young man not only with prodigious talent, but a calm, level-headed character. I saw no fear in Wilkinson and it was the same with Iain Balshaw and Mike Tindall – two more players I picked for England in their early years. Age should be no barrier to selection.
Which brings me to Noah Caluori, the electric 19-year-old Saracens winger. There can be no doubt Caluori has been the breakthrough sensation of this season’s PREM Rugby, leading the way with 18 tries in just nine appearances. Ever since he was plucked from nowhere to make a try-scoring debut against Newcastle Red Bulls on the first weekend of the campaign, Caluori has stood out.
Remarkably, he’s scored five tries in one game on two occasions – both against Sale. Last weekend, his acrobatic finish to score in Saracens’ win over Leicester saw him grab the headlines again. These are the sort of ‘wow’ moments I allude to and that you simply cannot ignore.
I gave Jonny Wilkinson his England debut at just 18 in 1998 – I saw a player ready for the Test stage despite his tender years
It’s safe to say the decision paid off in the end, with Jonny going on to become one of the best players in England rugby history and us winning the World Cup together in 2003
Noah Caluori has been the breakthrough sensation of this season’s PREM Rugby, leading the way with 18 tries in just nine appearances
I think it was sensible Caluori got a taste of the senior England setup last autumn and then played for the A team during the Six Nations. He has been handled well to date both by Mark McCall at Saracens and Steve Borthwick with England. But now is the time to give Caluori a first cap.
I would bring him straight into the team for England’s next game – the blockbuster Nations Championship clash with South Africa in July.
That statement is based on two points. The first is that Caluori clearly has the skills to excel in an England shirt. The second is that only by playing him can you find out what he can do at the highest level. If Borthwick – so long as he survives the RFU’s badly misguided post-Six Nations review into his position – thinks he’s ready, then I would urge him not to delay.
Some people would say giving Caluori a Test debut against the double world champion Springboks in their own back yard would be brave, or even brainless. But as a coach, you have to be more pragmatic than that, looking at only the facts and not taking in too much emotion.
England do have lots of good wingers. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was a huge miss during the Six Nations, but he has been in superb form for Exeter since returning from injury and is a certain summer starter. Tommy Freeman is also on fire for Northampton, but as I’ve long maintained he should start at outside centre. That leaves a spot on the right wing, with Caluori facing competition from the likes of Tom Roebuck and Henry Arundell.
Caluori has had a stronger season domestically than both of them. He has the ability to bring a real excitement to this England team alongside Feyi-Waboso, and that will be much-needed after the Six Nations which was more than disappointing.
While Caluori is still very young and has lots of room to grow, he has all the attributes of a top-end wing. He is incredibly fast and, as he proved against Leicester, an exceptional finisher. Caluori is also exceptionally good in the air which is now, unfortunately, a big part of the game. Caluori’s defence has improved across the season too.
I’ve seen the argument that England have nothing to lose against South Africa. For me, that’s not the case. The Springboks are formidable opposition, but they are beatable – even at home.
If Australia can down Rassie Erasmus’ men in South Africa – as they did in last year’s Rugby Championship, stunning their hosts 38-22 having trailed 22-0 – then so too can England.
Caluori has been the bane of Sale this season, scoring five tries in each of his two appearances against them
As well as his superb finishing ability, Caluori is also exceptionally good in the air which is now, unfortunately, a big part of the game
If Australia can storm South Africa’s Ellis Park fortress, as they did last August, then it is definitely not beyond England
That Wallabies performance was full of attacking verve and can be a blueprint for England because with Feyi-Waboso, Caluori, Freeman and George Furbank in their team, England can certainly play the same way. Now that is a side I would have liked to coach!
Borthwick is certainly under pressure after a Six Nations of just one win, but South Africa represents a chance for him to blow all that criticism away in the space of just 80 minutes. Caluori can be central to that plan.
Lewis a shining example for England of today to follow
I’d like to end my column by saying a big well done to the members of the current England team who attended a fundraiser for Lewis Moody in London last week.
My interview with Lewis on his motor neurone disease diagnosis was a tough but important piece, raising awareness on the work being done to find a cure.
Last Wednesday, I was at a gala dinner to support Lewis and the MND community. I was delighted to see Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Henry Pollock there too.
The team of today can take inspiration from the successes of the past generation. For example, I couldn’t think of a better role model for Pollock to learn from than Lewis.
