Tom Varndell Interview: England Need to Make Changes

Aviva Premiership try-scoring machine Tom Varndell believes changes to England’s backline need to be made. Last Word on Rugby brings you a Tom Varndell interview following the very disappointing Six Nations campaign for the 2016/17 champions.

Changes Needed to England Backline

The former Wasps winger has urged Eddie Jones to tinker with his side ahead of this Summer’s tour to South Africa following three successive Six Nations defeats.

Jones has been criticised, with England’s attack having lost its cutting edge over the last year. England finished fifth in this year’s Six Nations for the first time in twenty-five years.

Varndell, the most prolific try scorer in Aviva Premiership history, believes there will be changes to the side but doesn’t think it will be wholesale ahead of their summer tour.

Tom Varndell Interview

“I don’t know if there will be massive changes because it is quite a young squad, they still got that blend of youth and experience.” Varndell said.

“Anthony Watson with that achilles injury is a massive loss for England as he’s been one of the stand out backs for England. There will need to be changes, but I don’t think it will be wholesale changes ahead of the tour to South Africa.”

The 31 year-old has moved to the Scarlets from Bristol till the end of the season, having found opportunities hard to come by at the English Championship club. Varndell is excited by the new challenge, especially as the club are fighting for silverware on both fronts.

“Bristol are pretty much guaranteed promotion almost and opportunities were few and far between and I wanted a new opportunity and Scarlets was that opportunity and I took it with both hands. I think I met Wayne on the Sunday and I started training on the Monday so it was pretty quick.

“Pressure is on, obviously coming from Bristol into this environment is completely different. Obviously the challenges for Scarlets going forward is huge, competing in both competitions and like Wayne said its massive and they had a great season last year and they want to go that step further this year.

“It is exciting to come in to the business end of the season and it is a massive opportunity.”

The former England International is hoping to earn a spot in the squad for Scarlets’ biggest game of the season against La Rochelle on Good Friday. One thing is for sure, Varndell will not be lacking motivation to prove himself this weekend when the Scarlets take on Munster at Thomond Park.

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