Ben Youngs hoping for change of fortune in World Cup
Ben Youngs has played eight World Cup games
©PA
England international Ben Youngs is seeking a change of fortune as they begin their World Cup campaign against Tonga on Sunday.
Youngs has already been part of 2011 and 2015 World Cup campaigns where he played eight games combined scoring two tries. The 2011 edition saw them lose the quarter-finals to France while in 2015 they became the first ever home side to be knocked out on the opening round.
The 30-year-old expressed disappointment on the outcomes of the previous two editions and is hoping to create history when they kick-start their campaign this weekend.
"Neither of them was the outcome I wanted," said Youngs.
"I think anyone wants to look back at the end of their career and feel proud of success - and the World Cup is always the pinnacle.
"This opportunity here with this side is probably the best shot I have of being able to look back at a period of my career and say, yeah, that was something really special."
Earlier, Eddie Jones singled out Youngs as one of the most influential player in deciding England's fortune at the World Cup. With 91 Tests, Youngs is already the most-capped scrum-half for his side and is looking forward to the opening game against Tonga - they same opponent they last met during the opening round of the 2007 World Cup.
"It's been a long time. You just sense the group is very excited," Youngs said.
"It is the same for every other team that is here. We have been building up to this for a very long time.
"So has every other nation so we are as excited as I am sure Tonga are to get out there. You want to kick off the tournament.
"We have got to wait a few days while everyone else is playing but come Sunday we will be ready as a side and we are very much looking forward to getting our campaign underway."
