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'He digs the coal, gets it up, other people manufacture it and then we have a burning fire'
By Online Editors
Ben Moon has pledged to keep digging the coal to aid England’s Guinness Six Nations title bid.
Moon is competing with Ellis Genge to fill the void at loosehead prop created by Mako Vunipola’s knee injury as a crunch title showdown with Wales looms in Cardiff on Saturday week.
The no-nonsense Exeter Chief made his England debut as a 29-year-old last autumn and had an immediate impact, inspiring an evocative analogy from Eddie Jones.
“Ben’s one of those blokes who goes down the coal mine for you every day,” Jones said.
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“He digs the coal, gets it up, other people manufacture it and then we have a burning fire. He does the simple things – no fuss, no fanfare. A really good team guy.”
Moon, who has now won five caps and is a strong contender for World Cup squad selection, appreciates the comparison.
“I’ll take it as a compliment. Everyone’s different and that’s the beauty of rugby,” Moon said.
“You’ve got some guys who carry the ball 15 to 20 times in a game and others who hit 30-odd rucks in a game.
“Everyone’s got their role, but whatever Eddie sees in me, I’m happy to take that role.
“Obviously set piece is any prop’s bread and butter. I enjoy the defensive side of the game and making tackles and giving hot balls to the team.
“The big shots are the ones you enjoy. Regardless of who you are playing, they are the ones that you enjoy the most as it gives you and the team a good feeling.”
Vunipola was a marauding presence in the first two rounds of the Championship and the injury that struck during Sunday’s 44-8 demolition of France has robbed England of their most effective forward.
Moon or Genge will take the number-one jersey and an indication of the challenge facing the rivals is assistant coach Neal Hatley’s admission that “you don’t really replace someone like Mako”.
Moon, however, knows that the setback has offered a chance that he intends seizing.
“Mako is a big loss to us. He’s a fantastic player and has got a lot of experience,” Moon said.
“That gives me and Ellis opportunity to fight it out and compete for a starting spot, which we’ve started doing this week.
“It’s an opportunity for me to push on from the time I got in the autumn. I don’t want to look at it as just stepping in. I definitely want to stake a claim for that shirt.
“Once you are creeping towards 30 you think maybe the chance to play for England has passed you by, but for whatever reason the chances come.”
Genge returned to training on Friday after recovering from a minor ankle injury and is available to face Wales.
Press Association Sport
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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