Spotlight on Charlie Sharples
Next Wednesday will see the announcement of Stuart Lancaster's 32 man squad for the Six Nations and those who were unfortunate enough to miss out on a trip to New Zealand last October will harbour hopes of the call-up that eluded them just over four months ago.
It is widely accepted that Charlie Sharples was probably the most unlucky out of the crop of young England hopefuls who were left to watch on from the comfort of their own homes. Whether watching what developed into a disastrous campaign was easier from his Gloucestershire home than actually being a part of it Sharples is candid in the disappointment he felt.
"I know there was some hoo-ha off the field and in hindsight it wouldn't have been great to have been involved in that, but I'd set my heart on playing in the tournament and when you fall short after going close you feel pretty disappointed."
At times it is hard to fathom how and why Sharples was left out of the final 30 that travelled down-under. Question marks surrounded starting wing Mark Cueto's fitness throughout the tournament so much so that Delon Armitage played out of position in the pools, thus making Matt Banahan's selection to travel completely pointless. Despite what some pundits believe the giant Banahan is not good enough, in my opinion, to play wing let alone centre for England, with the search for a Lomu-like wing becoming somewhat of an obsession for the England management in the past.
Sharples first rose to prominence at the age of 16 in the Daily Mail Schools Cup under 18 Final that saw Champagne Charlie run in three tries as his St Peter's High School upset Durham School at Twickenham.
Selection in Lancaster's squad will not see a return to HQ where Sharples earned the nickname of 'Champagne' until 25 February, with trips to Murrayfield and the Stadio Flaminio being first on England's agenda.
It might come as a surprise to some that this achievement came just five years ago with Sharples still at the tender age of 22 now. Sharples admits himself that he it is often pointed out to him that he is the oldest looking 22-year-old. This comment goes alongside another that came during England's preparations for the World Cup at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot where England full-back Ben Foden suggested he was the 'fastest white player' he has come across.
Foden's comment came after Sharples clocked a time of 4.82 seconds in 40 metre sprint tests, making him the quickest in that 45 man training squad. Without doubt Sharples has pace to burn but it appears that this was not enough to warrent selection from former manager Martin Johnson who opted for the 18st Banahan ahead of the 14st 9lb Gloucesterman. With this said it is Sharples belief that what he lacks in physical stature he makes up for in other areas.
"Somebody like (Alesana) Tuilagi is one of the bigger wings out there if not the biggest and I have done OK against him. I played against George North last year in a warm-up game against the Scarlets and he is a big young winger but again, you are aware of your opponent's strengths, but you don't let that worry you. The big guys have advantages and weakness and the small guys are the same."
Sharples admits that he has much to learn, with his straight-line speed undoubted, his try-scoring instinct innate and finishing as natural as any of his rivals for an England call-up. It has been reported that their will be no place for the experienced Mark Cueto in Lancaster's Six Nations squad making way for the cherry and white flyer and Sharples accepts that the defensive communication and organisational skills that go with playing wing at international level are every bit as important as the other kind.
"That's the stuff I'm trying to take on board. There aren't many kids who come into top-class rugby knowing everything, so when you have a chance to pick things up from people who have been around a long time, you grab it. You learn from your mistakes, but you also learn from watching and listening."
There can be no doubting the potential that Lancaster has at his disposal out wide Jonathan Joseph of London Irish, Miles Benjamin of Worcester, James Short of Saracens and new Wasps hot-shot Christian Wade all with supporters crying out for their first inclusion in an England squad. Not to mention the likes of David Strettle who has in the past been in the England fold but soon disposed of. Sharples though, it is fair to say, heads the queue for the number 11 shirt that will no longer be occupied by Cueto in the new-look England team that is expected take the field come 4 February against Scotland.
