Van Poortvliet hoping to emulate hero Youngs

As Jack van Poortvliet prepares to be interviewed within the Surrey sunshine, he carries himself with a poise and maturity which belies his years.

A agency handshake is adopted by a heat smile as he recollects not being allowed to look at England as a six-year-old, the final time they performed on the World Cup in France, as a result of the video games have been aired after his bedtime.

Nearly 16 years later, he’s readying himself at England’s Pennyhill Park base as a part of head coach Steve Borthwick’s 40-man pre-tournament coaching squad.

The Tigers’ academy graduate’s long-standing dream of reaching the “pinnacle of English rugby” is near turning into a actuality.

“I might be kidding if I mentioned I hadn’t dreamed of enjoying in a World Cup,” he advised BBC Sport.

“I used to be two once we [England] received in 2003 so I am unable to keep in mind that in any respect however I’ve watched again the entire expertise on YouTube.

“Watching stay, the most important reminiscences I’ve was in ’07 once I was solely six. My dad and mom would not let me watch the video games as a result of in France they have been late kick-offs.

“I would get up within the morning and ask what occurred and I bear in mind being advised the rating after they had misplaced the ultimate.

“However rising up, Ben Youngs was a large inspiration for me, being a Norfolk lad and enjoying in the identical place.

“When he was at his first World Cup in 2011 and he scored the winning try against Argentina it was large and one thing I dreamed of doing.

“It could imply a lot to me and my household – the sacrifices they’ve made and the onerous work I’ve put in. It’s the pinnacle of English rugby.”

Borthwick is ready to call his ultimate World Cup squad on 7 August.

Veteran Youngs, 33, has 12 years of expertise and 110 caps on Van Poortvliet, however the team-mates for each membership and nation share the identical imaginative and prescient.

“It is surreal,” added Van Poortvliet.

“I bear in mind final yr, once I obtained named to go to Australia and we sat down simply after successful the Premiership with Leicester, we needed to be two scrum-halves from the identical membership, the identical county, dwelling just a few miles aside, to go to the World Cup collectively.

“It is one thing we’ve got spoken about and desirous to push one another to get there.”

Van Poortvliet could have been moulded within the East Midlands, beneath Youngs’ gaze, however this can be a participant additionally eager to make his personal mark within the recreation.

“I try to get away from the Leicester clique,” he joked.

“We’re a really tight group at Tigers, particularly with the younger lads like Man [Porter]George [Martin] and Freddie [Steward] that I’ve been round throughout my complete academy expertise, however I actually get together with Jamie [Blamire] and Bevan Rodd and we’ve got time.”

The Tigers’ quantity 9 says wagered card video games have been supplementing intense coaching classes to boost the togetherness within the group.

“Steve [Borthwick] is very large on being [at the top of our game] once we are in coaching, however then additionally having fun with our downtime,” added Van Poortvliet. “I really like being across the social [side]enjoying darts, pool and plenty of playing cards.”

England start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Argentina on 9 September in Marseille, following a sequence of 4 warm-up video games.

Borthwick’s males journey to Cardiff to face Wales on 5 August, and Van Poortvliet says the rivalry between the nations won’t wane given the pleasant standing of the sport.

“We wish to win these video games in pre-season,” he mentioned.

“When you could have the chance to play in opposition to Wales with that rivalry, it’s nothing however thrilling to have the ability to expertise the Millennium Stadium.”