Rugby
Exclusive: Danny Care pleased with England’s progress, believes the team will become “frightening”
Still in the game, but at a club level, Danny Care believes the England team is on the right path forward.
Image Credits: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
A rich international career
England rugby union legend Danny Care is “frightened” by just how good the national team can become.
Care called time on his glittering international career shortly after winning his 100th cap for his country in their breath-taking 23-22 victory over Ireland at Twickenham in the Six Nations last month.
The 37-year-old played in all five of England’s Six Nations fixtures and famously helped them win the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2016, as well as titles in 2011 and 2017.
But despite missing out on honours this time around, the respected scrum-half believes the future is bright for English rugby, especially with so many exciting young stars ready to shine on the world stage.
Displaying firm belief in the England rugby team
“This England team has got the potential to be one of the very best in the world,” Care told SportsBoom. “To break into that top two in the world, I think the team’s in a good spot.
“You saw a few new players coming through at the World Cup and definitely at the Six Nations, there’s some lads who are playing really well for their clubs are now getting chances to wear the shirt.
“There’s a few of the Northampton Saints lads who have been given a chance, the team is frightening, and how good these young, talented kids are.
They’re going to take the team forward – and I’m going to be a big fan watching it
Danny Care
A time for career reflection
Care, who has a record 370 appearances for club side Harlequins, made his international debut for England in June 2008 against New Zealand and quickly established himself as a regular in the national side.
But he revealed his international retirement came after a lot of reflection and a desire to spend more time with his family.
Image Credits: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
“I’ve not really had time to digest finishing my international career because I’ve gone straight into playing for my club and we’ve had a fair few big games in the last few weeks,” reflected Care.
“I think at the end of the season I will take a bit of time away and reflect on my career then.
But it’s the nature of the beast in rugby, if you start to think about things you’re going to fall over at one point.
Danny Care
“Hopefully I’ll get some time to reflect with the family this summer.”
Satisfied with England’s progress
He added: “When I worked out it was going to be my last game, I think overall it was not as successful in terms of where we finished.
“But it was successful in that I think the team has taken some good steps forward into the team that it’s going to be, which I think is going to be frightening.
“I think the Ireland victory was especially pleasing. To beat them and to do it on my 100th cap, that was a very special moment for me and the family we will never forget.
“It really showed me what this team is all about. They showed that they can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the world.
“That was one of [head coach] Steve [Borthwick’s] big goals, to try to beat both Ireland and France and prove to people that we should be in that top four in the world.”
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Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.