Tom Youngs and Jonathan Joseph can't wait for England World Cup opener
Monday 14 September 2015 19:19, UK
Tom Youngs and Jonathan Joseph say the England players can't wait for their Rugby World Cup opener game against Fiji on Friday.
Now the starting XV and replacements bench have been announced, the England players can focus on the moment the whistle blows to kick off the 2015 World Cup at Twickenham.
Hooker Youngs now knows he will start against the Pacific Islanders.
"It's a massive honour," he said. "It's huge, to finally get selected for the World Cup - it's here now and we just can't wait for Friday night now.
"It's been a long road and there's been some people who have helped me no end and hopefully they can be very proud to see me run out."
He admitted England's recent performance against France in Paris had highlighted some aspects to improve on, but said the squad are confident
"We've still got a few things to touch up on but on the whole everything's pretty good, but we know we've got to be better for this World Cup and that's something which we've been addressing in the last couple of weeks."
Youngs was also delighted his brother Ben will earn his 50th cap in the same game.
"Myself, I'm very proud to see him run out there in front of me," he said. "It'll be a very special moment for me to be on the pitch with him when he does win his 50th. It'll be a great evening for the family."
Fellow starter, centre Jonathan Joseph, is also eager for the World Cup to start.
He said: "It's been a long time coming. We've prepared really well. It's been a long two months but the boys seem ready.
"We're all really excited about what's to come.
"We've been feeling the support rise The boys are in a really good place, having the nation behind us is amazing - a massive factor for us, a massive advantage. We can't wait for Friday night."
