Six Nations: Wood out to lead by example
TOM WOOD says England have to get the foundations of the team right first before worrying about a captain.
Wood was favourite to lead out England at Murrayfield for the Six Nations opener on February 4 until a toe injury ruled him out of the clash.
England interim head coach Stuart Lancaster says he will name a captain for that game early next week, but revealed it would be done on a match-by-match basis.
Lancaster is more concerned with putting together a leadership group to build the team’s culture. That group is believed to include Wood, Chris Robshaw, Dylan Hartley, Toby Flood and Ben Youngs.
Wood admitted it was funny being considered a senior player after just nine caps.
“It is a bit strange,” said Wood at the launch of the Six Nations at Twickenham yesterday. “I don’t do anything different. I say what I think needs saying as and when is appropriate and train hard. I guess it is senior in attitude rather than in experience and caps.
“We are looking at a leadership group as opposed to an out-and-out captain and a team culture to lead from within. That is the way most clubs work, they have a core group of leaders and you set the right example without saying a lot, setting the right environment and culture rather than decision-making on the field.”
Chris Robshaw now looks set to captain England against Scotland while Wood is injured. Though the Saints flanker would jump at the chance once he is fit again.
“It is brilliant to be thought of as possible candidate,” said Wood. “It is something you dream of as a young kid. I would be proud to do it but would support anybody who gets the job. We need to get the foundation of the team right before we hang our hopes on any individual. We have a lot of good candidates, but if I was offered it I would bite their hand off to be honest.”
Wood says he will spend the next four weeks wearing a protective boot, ruling him out of the Italy trip as well. He has been at the England camp in Leeds this week and said: “Stuart has set a positive vibe, with a clear cut ambition for the team. There are a lot of new faces who don’t have the baggage of the World Cup. We are looking good to do something.”
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