Ben Earl has vowed that England will set the tone for a new era in Friday’s Rugby World Cup third-place play-off against Argentina.
The Saracens star has been England’s man of the tournament, and will start again for Steve Borthwick’s side in their final match in France.
England will come full circle for the competition at the Stade de France on Friday night, facing the side they defeated 27-10 in their opening pool match, way back on September 9.
Borthwick’s side fell agonisingly short of reaching the final with a last-gasp 16-15 defeat to South Africa in Saturday night’s tense last-four battle.
The Red Rose men are still smarting from falling just short of a second World Cup final in succession – but are determined to finish on a high in France.
Earl has urged the nucleus of players that will take England beyond the World Cup to deliver a statement performance on the Red Rose future.
“You disrespect anyone who has worn an England shirt if you don’t give your best on Friday and apply yourself in exactly the way you are expected to and the team are expected to,” said Earl.
“I’m really pleased with what I’ve put out in this campaign and I’m just glad I could contribute with a rose on my chest.
“There’s a few of us now that have a bit of individual responsibility, a small group of us that have now got to think what’s next for this England team.
“There’s no secret there’s going to be a bit of transition, with the really experienced guys maybe not being involved any more.
“It’s up to us now to take that mantle on and see where we can take the team.
“What we’re really focused on is playing and performing the way we should: for some it could be the last game for England and for others the beginning of another four-year cycle.
“You want to set the ball rolling in the right way and go into the Six Nations with a bit of a bounce. To come home with a medal would be mega.”
Freddie Steward will also start again for England, having excelled in that semi-final loss to South Africa.
The Leicester full-back admitted England have faced a big challenge to shake the pain of defeat and prepare for another Test match onslaught.
“I’ve probably thought about the South Africa match a couple of times every hour every day since,” said Steward.
“We’re all devastated, we really are; we gave everything, and fought tooth and nail out there.
“It’s a balance between trying not to think about South Africa too much and focus on Friday, but also to use some of that pain.”
