By David Williams
Nick Tompkins insists there will be no winding up of his mates in the England team ahead of Wales’ trip to Twickenham next week.
The Wales centre has no intention of getting caught up in inevitable hype that will accompany the build-up towards the Six Nations showdown.
For Saracens centre Tompkins keeping his place at No.12 will mean opposing a number of his club colleagues – players like Maro Itoje, Max Malins and Jamie George – as the tournament reaches its halfway point.
“I know how personal it is in terms of the history of the rivalry and stuff, and I love that,” he said.
“For me, I work better when I am level-headed. I don’t want to get too involved in that emotional side because I feel sometimes it can waste energy.
“I will look forward to playing some of the Saracens boys, and I will definitely want to give them a couple! But it is not something I will want to thrive my energy massively from.”
So, no red on white banter?
“I will stay clear of that. I will give them any chat I can but I will keep my cards close to my chest. I don’t want to give too much away.
There’s a narrative around Nick Tompkins but he was good out in Dublin last week and he’s been pretty good today. His defence has significantly improved #WALvSCO
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) February 12, 2022
Tompkins, an England Under-20 international who qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, finds himself in a fiercely competitive midfield area.
But fine displays against Ireland and Scotland have arguably put him top of a pile that also features Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin and a fit-again Uilisi Halaholo, with wing Josh Adams also an option there for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.
“The competition is there. That’s good, it is there and alive,” added Tompkins, who has won 18 caps.
“We all have to step up and take the lead and show what we can do. I want to be in the starting 12 or 13 – that is my personal goal – but there are other lads as well, brilliant players, who also want the same.
“We will help each other through it. Whoever starts will get the backing of everybody, and that’s the good thing. But we will all be competing hard for it.
“I need to be physical as a 12, and that is one of the things I want to improve and show the coaching staff and players. It is an all-round game. You need to be physical to win this tournament.
“For me personally it was a work on. There are people out there who say my defence needs to be worked on. I am hoping to prove them wrong or just prove I am the defender I know I can be.”
Wales head to Twickenham – a ground where they last won a Six Nations fixture in 2012 – on Saturday week having put themselves back in title contention following victory over Scotland, which came seven days after a heavy defeat against Ireland.
🏴 Nick Tompkins is starting again for Wales on Saturday for their match against 🏴.
Go well Nick 🙌#StrongerTogether ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/byhwuu77TB
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) February 10, 2022
Unbeaten Six Nations leaders France then follow in Cardiff a fortnight later, so Wales have some huge challenges ahead, but they are at least in the mix again.
“After the Ireland game we had to have a long look at ourselves,” Tompkins said.
“We wanted to give an answer (against Scotland) for us and everybody out there. A lot were writing us off, so I am just proud the boys put in a shift in defence and we fronted up a bit and our attack was a bit better.
“It was a good improvement all-round, but we can do much better. If we keep steadily improving, hopefully when it comes to England we will be hitting the right strides.”
England are hoping to be reinforced by the return of several frontline players from injury, including explosive centre Manu Tuilagi.
Eddie Jones’ team revived their title hopes by claiming a bonus-point victory over Italy in Rome that lifted them to second in the table.
Adding to their options in selection could be a number of established internationals who have missed the opening two rounds through injury.
England hoping for Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes boost against Wales https://t.co/DyphXBxzla #rugbyunited
— #rugbyengland (@RugbyEng) February 15, 2022
Tuilagi’s comeback from a torn hamstring has gathered pace in Sale’s colours and flanker Courtney Lawes could finally complete his recovery from concussion in time to face Wales.
Tuilagi’s return would help overcome the absence of Owen Farrell, Tompkins’ Sarries’ teammate who was ruled out of the tournament through injury the week before it kicked off.
Tompkins believes England’s defeat in Scotland revealed the struggle they had in replacing Farrell and he added: “It shows how good Farrell is.
“I am not just saying that because he is my team-mate, but genuinely he leaves a massive hole and they have to fill it.
“Manu Tuilagi is not a bad replacement! I am not sure what they are going to be but whatever way, whether it be Tuilagi or Henry Slade, they are going to need to be stopped.
“Hopefully, we can do that and we will see. You wait and see what they are going to pick and you can then see what you can pick out in terms of strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly.”
