By Paul Jones
Like Wales’ Gareth Anscombe, Danny Care has unfinished business with the World Cup but refuses to hold back during England’s warm-up games even if it means repeating one of his career’s most crushing disappointments.
Japan-bound half-back Anscombe was injured in a warm-up match against England at Twickenham four years ago and missed the 2019 tournament.
Care was considered first choice England scrum-half heading into the 2011 tournament only to sustain a serious foot injury against Wales in Cardiff during the build-up, preventing him from playing any part.
The Harlequins half-back had already paid for his parents to travel to New Zealand in anticipation of his involvement and while they watched England reach the quarter-finals, he remained at home on crutches.
Four years later, he had slipped down the pecking order and was confined to a single match against Uruguay, and when 2019 arrived he was among the victims of Eddie Jones’ leftfield approach to scrum-half selection.
Danny Care is ready to go with England if given Rugby World Cup chance 🌹 pic.twitter.com/OtY8ZnSc8h
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) July 4, 2023
France this autumn offers a final chance for the 36-year-old to realise his World Cup dream, but first England must revisit the setting for his misfortune of 2011 when they face Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
“I’m desperate to try and play more World Cup games, try and win some more games for England,” Care said.
“It will be a dream come true to get on that plane and hopefully I’ve done enough to get on the plane.
“I got named in the squad in 2011, played a warm-up game and ended up missing the tournament. Touch wood that doesn’t happen again, but it is rugby, it happens.
“One thing you can’t do going onto a rugby field is think about staying fit and no one will be doing that.
“It is the nature of the beast – you’re not playing tiddlywinks. It’s a tough old sport and you can get injured at any point, in any training session.
“It’s the way it is, there is a bit of luck involved sometimes. You try and not think about it, just crack on and put your head 100 per cent into everything and then hope for the best.
“Everyone will be flying in to win Test matches. We are going to try to win games and the best way to be prepared for France is to go and win some Test matches.”
Steve Borthwick names first England World Cup training squad including Zach Mercer, Joe Marler and Danny Care https://t.co/qX21EWAHFh
— ラグビー動画まとめ (@WorldRugbyDouga) June 12, 2023
Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan will captain Wales, while Leigh Halfpenny wins his 100th Wales cap.
Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti, both props from Cardiff, and Max Llewellyn, the Gloucester centre, are all set to make their international debuts.
On the replacements bench, there is the possibility of two more players earning their first caps: Taine Plumtree and former England prop, Henry Thomas.
Due to a calf injury, Taulupe Faletau will be unable to play, so Aaron Wainwright will take the No.8 position.
Sam Costelow will be at fly-half, partnering with Gareth Davies, his fellow Scarlets half-back.
A remarkable milestone awaits Leigh Halfpenny, as he is poised to become the ninth player to represent Wales in 100 international matches.
He joins Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, George North, Dan Biggar, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas, Martyn Williams and Faletau in reaching three figures for Wales.
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