The words of Earl

[Banquo]

...could equally be a Lions topic, but...interesting I think

Ben Earl: I’ll bring what I’ve learnt with the Lions back to England
Back row full of praise for head coach Andy Farrell — who he says treated players ‘like adults’ — after series win in Australia, and describes tour as a life-changing experience

When the jetlag, and his hangover, subsides, Ben Earl will reflect on how England can become more like the British & Irish Lions.

During five years of international rugby he has never loved anything in his career quite like the past eight weeks. He returns a Lions series winner, having played in two Tests, and has realised that he and England could do so much, so much better.

Earl calls the Lions a “life-changing experience”, that has been “completely transformative” for him, and he said he has appreciated being “treated like adults” by Andy Farrell, the head coach. Earlier in the tour he said he had worked out you do not need to live like a monk all week before a Test match, like he has done before. The two-games-per-week rhythm in the middle of the tour challenged him to adapt, and Earl feels like he thrived.

Earl’s lesson to himself, therefore? “Get out of your own way and just play rugby,” he says. “It’s almost like you get to the pinnacle of our sport, this is what it is, and you’re back playing under-12s on a Sunday morning. That’s honestly how it feels, there’s no preparation, you just go out, you have a plan, you try to implement it, you express yourself in a way that Andy and the rest of the coaching staff have allowed us to do and I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I’ve probably got more trust in what I’ve done rather than second guessing myself. Honestly, some of the best players in the world are in that changing room and some of them are the most relaxed people I’ve ever seen about preparation, training. It’s eye-opening and I’ve loved it, it’s been great.

“I’ve spoken to fellow Englishmen about that, actually, there’s some cool stuff that we can bring back to camp and that’s sort of the whole point, isn’t it?

Away from the “craic” — like drinking cocktails at 11am before his long flight home last Sunday — and the golf Earl has played, he cites two examples to show off what he feels have been the best learning experiences for him on this trip to Australia.

The first was that, on the way to the third Test in Sydney, the Lions’ team bus broke down. The door would not shut, so they all had to get off and start again with new transport.

“We’re trying to go 3-0 and we had to change buses and you should have seen the group. I’ve been involved in groups where that would have thrown boys off, but boys were just laughing, having craic, genius,” Earl says.

“We’re not on the team bus so what does that mean? Get out of your own way. It’s a game of rugby. Whatever bus you’re on, it doesn’t make a difference how you’re going to play.

“Go prepare as best you can. Rely on the preparation you’ve done — not just that week but over the last [few] years — rely on what you’ve done and the experience you’ve learnt, there’s great value in that.”

He loved the way the whole group adapted between the Australia & New Zealand Invitational XV match in Adelaide on a Saturday and the Brumbies game in Canberra the following Wednesday.

“We trained in the morning Wednesday and we’ve got to play on Saturday and that was the first time it hit me, ‘This is bonkers,’ ” Earl said.

“We flew midday Thursday, they announced the team Thursday night, we have got one session to play against a team that was littered with internationals. You go and perform, to a man. I can’t think of anyone who played poorly in that game and that is completely reflective of two things, the quality in the room but also the quality of the environment. When I think back now, it’s crazy but it works and it’s been class.”

So Earl is sure he is returning to England and Saracens a far better player, with more confidence instilled in him by Farrell, whose playing career — making his first-team debut for Wigan aged 16 and becoming Great Britain captain at 21 — has served as an inspiration

“He has made me fully believe in how good I am,” Earl explained. “Every time he talks to the group, I’m like, ‘I’ll do anything for that man — I’m ready to play.’

“Every time he spoke to the group, I’m like, God, when the time comes, I’m ready to play for this bloke. I didn’t really know fully his story. It’s so cool. He’s just got an unbelievable story and what an amazing coach. I’ve learnt so much off him. I’ve learnt so much off everyone. I’ve loved it.

“This has been the highlight of my life, certainly my rugby-playing life. I’ve made friends for life, memories for life. It showed me something completely different.”

It is safe to say Earl is desperate to be back in a Lions shirt come the 2029 tour to New Zealand.

“I had no expectations coming on this tour, I have no expectations about going on the next tour. But if someone said to me I could go on the next one, I’d do anything,” he says.

“Everyone talks about the aura around the badge, the honour — it has not got lost on me. It has not got lost on anyone, it has been amazing. I’d do anything to play for the Lions one last time.

[Puja]

It's possibly a little unkind that my first thought was to think, "Yeah, you did play on tour like you'd become more relaxed about your preparations, and I'm not meaning that as a compliment," and that my second thought was to think, "Smart man, getting in early with the encomium for the almost certain next Lions coach, so he's got the inside track for 2029."

Third thought was, "There is imminently going to be an argument on this thread, cause someone's going to twist those already twisted soundbites into an implicit criticism of Blandway's England environment. 'Ben Earl says he's enjoyed being treated like an adult, for once, during his time away from England!'"

Puja

[Banquo]

My first thought was, good oh, the Lions are actually something a player really wants to be a part of and benefit from. Romantic, me.

[fivepointer]

My thought was that changing the the bus for the 3rd test probably cost the Lions the game.

Seriously, if the trip has helped Earl to be a better player then thats a good thing.

We'll see if thats the case.

[jngf]

It's possibly a little unkind that my first thought was to think, "Yeah, you did play on tour like you'd become more relaxed about your preparations, and I'm not meaning that as a compliment," and that my second thought was to think, "Smart man, getting in early with the encomium for the almost certain next Lions coach, so he's got the inside track for 2029."

Third thought was, "There is imminently going to be an argument on this thread, cause someone's going to twist those already twisted soundbites into an implicit criticism of Blandway's England environment. 'Ben Earl says he's enjoyed being treated like an adult, for once, during his time away from England!'"

Puja

Puja If Earl did make that comment then surely there is at the very least an implied criticism of the coaching he received prior to becoming involved with the Lions and that would appear very plausible in Earl’s context, particularly the period he spent as a sub ( and rarely if ever a starter) under Eddie Jones?

[Captainhaircut]

My first thoughts to that are:

1. This coming back a better player is bullshit. Last year Earl was the best player in the 6N for me. He’s come back better than that then? Great- I look forward to him absolutely dominating the prem and his selection as a starter for England being a banker…

2. The comment on bringing some stuff back to the England camp is ridiculous. That England camp has just been far more impressive than the Lions whilst beating a better side. Maybe those lads who went on that tour should be telling him a thing or 2.

As usual, the lions is just indoctrination for these idiots. Andy Farrell said it was the best 8 weeks of their lives. They went and played a load of fodder and a shit Aussie side only winning the series because Skelton and Valentini were injured.

Delighted this farce is over for another 4 years. Thankfully no injuries bar Daly who will hopefully be fit soon.

Just need to hope for some sensible rest periods for Itoje and Curry. And for Borthers to ignore the shite everyone has said about the Iceman.

[Oakboy]

Is Earl a guaranteed starter for England? If so, in which shirt?

He might need to adopt a lower profile and knuckle down, I'd suggest, rather than put noses out of joint with his tale of, "I have seen the light."

[Captainhaircut]

Reading his quotes again and they piss me off actually.

I know he’s pretty much an imbecile but seriously shut the fuck up.

I hope Borthwick shit cans him (not like we don’t have loads of back rowers and he wouldn’t be in my first choice 23). Then he can go searching for an Irish granny so he can play for his precious Andy Farrell.

He better hope Leinster sign him though because Farrell isn’t that fond of picking anyone that he might need to actually coach- he’s generally left that to Leinsters coaches and then piggy bagged their success…

[Danno]

Jeez Cap. Go back to bed for a bit and then get out of the right side

They are some odd comments though, implying that he's only now been treated professionally. Well, friendo, you celebrate scrum penalties and oppo knock ons like the birthday cake at McDonald's has just been brought out so perhaps there's a reason people see you as rather juvenile.

And he's a Saracen so fuck him in general anyway

[Beasties]

He sounded a bit giddy to me. Calm down Ben. That’s only gonna annoy Borthwick.

2029 tour? Nah mate.

[jngf]

He sounded a bit giddy to me. Calm down Ben. That’s only gonna annoy Borthwick.

2029 tour? Nah mate.

If anything I’m surprised he’s that positive about Lions given that he didn’t get preference as an 8 even with Doris being unavailable ( and that may be the biggest take home for him about which position to aim for at test level going forwards?)

[Oakboy]

I still think it was amusing that Pollock was picked at 6 rather than Earl in one of the mid-week games. Both are arguably 7/8 options but it was the young lad who was shunted into his third position rather than Earl, the more experienced Mr Versatile. I'd have Pollock as 2nd choice 7 behind T Curry and 2nd choice 8 behind Willis. Earl or Underhill might get a place in the 23 if Curry is at 6 and even then his brother might keep them out.

At some stage soon, I'd be surprised if Pollock and Willis are not regular starters. Both can go beyond the rest. If only T Curry was fully fit again! 60 minute cameos won't suffice longer-term unfortunately.

[Mikey Brown]

I still think it was amusing that Pollock was picked at 6 rather than Earl in one of the mid-week games. Both are arguably 7/8 options but it was the young lad who was shunted into his third position rather than Earl, the more experienced Mr Versatile. I'd have Pollock as 2nd choice 7 behind T Curry and 2nd choice 8 behind Willis. Earl or Underhill might get a place in the 23 if Curry is at 6 and even then his brother might keep them out.

At some stage soon, I'd be surprised if Pollock and Willis are not regular starters. Both can go beyond the rest. If only T Curry was fully fit again! 60 minute cameos won't suffice longer-term unfortunately.

Earl played in the test and then Pollock was the only fit backrower to slot in at 6 for the FNP game. Is that the game you mean? I’m not sure what else you could in to that than Farrell having an oddly balanced squad.

Your Pollock fascination is bordering on JNGF levels. I do believe he’ll be great, but I probably have him around 4th/5th choice openside - maybe on par with Pepper - behind the Currys and Underhill.

The reality might also be accepting Earl at 7 in order to guarantee Willis at 8.

[jngf]

I still think it was amusing that Pollock was picked at 6 rather than Earl in one of the mid-week games. Both are arguably 7/8 options but it was the young lad who was shunted into his third position rather than Earl, the more experienced Mr Versatile. I'd have Pollock as 2nd choice 7 behind T Curry and 2nd choice 8 behind Willis. Earl or Underhill might get a place in the 23 if Curry is at 6 and even then his brother might keep them out.

At some stage soon, I'd be surprised if Pollock and Willis are not regular starters. Both can go beyond the rest. If only T Curry was fully fit again! 60 minute cameos won't suffice longer-term unfortunately.

Earl played in the test and then Pollock was the only fit backrower to slot in at 6 for the FNP game. Is that the game you mean? I’m not sure what else you could in to that than Farrell having an oddly balanced squad.

Your Pollock fascination is bordering on JNGF levels. I do believe he’ll be great, but I probably have him around 4th/5th choice openside - maybe on par with Pepper - behind the Currys and Underhill.

The reality might also be accepting Earl at 7 in order to guarantee Willis at 8.

I don’t see that as being difficult to accept and whilst I’d pick a fit Underhill or an available Jack Willis ahead of him I really like the stylish and pacy way Earl plays openside and he’s massively underestimated as a fetcher by many.

[Banquo]

I still think it was amusing that Pollock was picked at 6 rather than Earl in one of the mid-week games. Both are arguably 7/8 options but it was the young lad who was shunted into his third position rather than Earl, the more experienced Mr Versatile. I'd have Pollock as 2nd choice 7 behind T Curry and 2nd choice 8 behind Willis. Earl or Underhill might get a place in the 23 if Curry is at 6 and even then his brother might keep them out.

At some stage soon, I'd be surprised if Pollock and Willis are not regular starters. Both can go beyond the rest. If only T Curry was fully fit again! 60 minute cameos won't suffice longer-term unfortunately.

Earl played in the test and then Pollock was the only fit backrower to slot in at 6 for the FNP game. Is that the game you mean? I’m not sure what else you could in to that than Farrell having an oddly balanced squad.

Your Pollock fascination is bordering on JNGF levels. I do believe he’ll be great, but I probably have him around 4th/5th choice openside - maybe on par with Pepper - behind the Currys and Underhill.

The reality might also be accepting Earl at 7 in order to guarantee Willis at 8.

I don’t see that as being difficult to accept and whilst I’d pick a fit Underhill or an available Jack Willis ahead of him I really like the stylish and pacy way Earl plays openside and he’s massively underestimated as a fetcher by many.

Who are these ‘massive underraters’ and what evidence do you have- and indeed what do you mean by- of his fetching abilities? You don’t watch club rugby, where he plies his trade almost exclusively at 7.

[jngf]

Earl played in the test and then Pollock was the only fit backrower to slot in at 6 for the FNP game. Is that the game you mean? I’m not sure what else you could in to that than Farrell having an oddly balanced squad.

Your Pollock fascination is bordering on JNGF levels. I do believe he’ll be great, but I probably have him around 4th/5th choice openside - maybe on par with Pepper - behind the Currys and Underhill.

The reality might also be accepting Earl at 7 in order to guarantee Willis at 8.

I don’t see that as being difficult to accept and whilst I’d pick a fit Underhill or an available Jack Willis ahead of him I really like the stylish and pacy way Earl plays openside and he’s massively underestimated as a fetcher by many.

Who are these ‘massive underraters’ and what evidence do you have- and indeed what do you mean by- of his fetching abilities? You don’t watch club rugby, where he plies his trade almost exclusively at 7.

A stuck ( and inaccurate ) record, just for the record

[Scrumhead]

Is it? You’re the one that said you only really watch test rugby.

I wouldn’t say Earl is underrated as a fetcher. I’d argue that he’s rated as a pretty average in that respect which is supported by his turnover stats which are never outstanding.

Not a weakness, but not a strength either.

[Danno]

I don't watch a lot of Sarries outside of Quins matches, but Earl hits and clears breakdowns well enough. That does seem to be as far as it goes really, he's more of that mythological link man I guess.

Not a bad player by any means but I do like a bit more graft in a flanker and measuring him up to others shows a bit of a contrast. As an 8 he's just being outdone by T Willis' ability to make metres he simply has no right to make with Every. Single. Carry. And then obliterating breakdowns on both sides.

[Mikey Brown]

Back to the words of Ben Earl. His tour diary (totally legit I’m sure) is quite something.

Morning: The day before a start. There is a particular stillness to it. My body knows what is coming. The feeling is not one of anticipation; that is a jittery, useless emotion. It is a feeling of quiet calibration. Today is for finalising the settings.

The hotel room in Adelaide is acceptable. The thread count on the sheets is lower than in Canberra, a minor but noticeable drop in standards. I performed my morning stretches on the thin carpet, my movements precise, economical. Energy must be conserved and channelled for tomorrow. Showered at exactly 39 degrees.

At the team meeting this morning, they announced that Owen Farrell is being called up to the squad. A ripple of chatter went through the room. I felt nothing, but I registered the information and processed it. It is a logical decision. Farrell does not deal in pleasantries. He deals in outcomes. He does not tolerate imprecision. He will be a stabilising presence. I approve.

Afternoon: We had the captain's run at the stadium. I saw Marcus Smith walking ahead of me onto the pitch, listening to music on his headphones. I could hear the tinny beat from five feet away. A sound leakage. A small tear in the fabric of the group's focus. It’s a minor detail, but it’s the minor details that unravel everything. I, of course, said nothing. I walked past him and offered a slight nod. "Alright, Marcus? Feeling sharp." He smiled back, oblivious.

In the team hotel for lunch, I took my usual seat. My meal is pre-planned: grilled chicken, quinoa, steamed greens. Across the room, I watched Tadhg Beirne adding extra salt to his meal before even tasting it. An act of pure, thoughtless habit. My gaze lingered on the salt shaker for a full minute before I had to look away.

Then I saw Dan Sheehan. He was coming back from a personal mobility session, moving with a quiet efficiency that the others lack. He wore a simple black vest and shorts. The man is a study in anatomical perfection. Not a single ounce of superfluous tissue. The striations in his deltoids and the clean, sharp line of his obliques are not born of luck; they are carved by discipline. He understands that the body is a machine, nothing more. He caught my eye and gave a subtle, professional nod. I returned it. It was a communication that required no words.

Evening: I am back in my room now. It is time for the final review. I will not tape my ankles until tomorrow—that must be done closer to ignition. But I lay the tape out. I watch footage of my opposite number on my tablet, identifying three potential weaknesses in his defensive posture. My match-day undershirt, shorts, and socks are laid out on the bed, a perfect, clean geometry awaiting activation. Tomorrow, I start. The invitational side is an obstacle. I am the solution. The job is clear.

[Puja]

Back to the words of Ben Earl. His tour diary (totally legit I’m sure) is quite something.

Morning: The day before a start. There is a particular stillness to it. My body knows what is coming. The feeling is not one of anticipation; that is a jittery, useless emotion. It is a feeling of quiet calibration. Today is for finalising the settings.

The hotel room in Adelaide is acceptable. The thread count on the sheets is lower than in Canberra, a minor but noticeable drop in standards. I performed my morning stretches on the thin carpet, my movements precise, economical. Energy must be conserved and channelled for tomorrow. Showered at exactly 39 degrees.

At the team meeting this morning, they announced that Owen Farrell is being called up to the squad. A ripple of chatter went through the room. I felt nothing, but I registered the information and processed it. It is a logical decision. Farrell does not deal in pleasantries. He deals in outcomes. He does not tolerate imprecision. He will be a stabilising presence. I approve.

Afternoon: We had the captain's run at the stadium. I saw Marcus Smith walking ahead of me onto the pitch, listening to music on his headphones. I could hear the tinny beat from five feet away. A sound leakage. A small tear in the fabric of the group's focus. It’s a minor detail, but it’s the minor details that unravel everything. I, of course, said nothing. I walked past him and offered a slight nod. "Alright, Marcus? Feeling sharp." He smiled back, oblivious.

In the team hotel for lunch, I took my usual seat. My meal is pre-planned: grilled chicken, quinoa, steamed greens. Across the room, I watched Tadhg Beirne adding extra salt to his meal before even tasting it. An act of pure, thoughtless habit. My gaze lingered on the salt shaker for a full minute before I had to look away.

Then I saw Dan Sheehan. He was coming back from a personal mobility session, moving with a quiet efficiency that the others lack. He wore a simple black vest and shorts. The man is a study in anatomical perfection. Not a single ounce of superfluous tissue. The striations in his deltoids and the clean, sharp line of his obliques are not born of luck; they are carved by discipline. He understands that the body is a machine, nothing more. He caught my eye and gave a subtle, professional nod. I returned it. It was a communication that required no words.

Evening: I am back in my room now. It is time for the final review. I will not tape my ankles until tomorrow—that must be done closer to ignition. But I lay the tape out. I watch footage of my opposite number on my tablet, identifying three potential weaknesses in his defensive posture. My match-day undershirt, shorts, and socks are laid out on the bed, a perfect, clean geometry awaiting activation. Tomorrow, I start. The invitational side is an obstacle. I am the solution. The job is clear.

Is that actually genuine or is it a spoof? Poe's law is striking here, cause I genuinely can't tell.

Puja

[Danno]

It's the new Sage advert

[Scrumhead]

God I hope that isn’t real. Surely it’s a parody?

From the irritation at Marcus’ headphones and Beirne’s salt shaker to the overly scientific but somewhat lustful description of Sheehan. It’s all very odd.

[Oakboy]

God I hope that isn’t real. Surely it’s a parody?

From the irritation at Marcus’ headphones and Beirne’s salt shaker to the overly scientific but somewhat lustful description of Sheehan. It’s all very odd.

Your last three words might sum up Earl perhaps. He may not have started the fist pump celebration for penalty awards (who the hell did?) but he quickly became its leading advocate. Does such demonstrative reflection on a referee's decision belong in rugby at all? Can such behaviour be reasonably decribed as leadership or enthusiasm or team-bonding etc.?

Then came his quote about learning much more on this tour than . . . . That, no doubt, pleased his English HC and team-mates.

My difficulty with him and with Farrell, now back at Saracens, is that I want to blame the club and its attitude. Then, I think of Itoje - one of the all-time great players that I have seen. I tend to forgive him some similar antics. Maybe that's it. Players that are exceptional earn the right to be nobs occasionally. The likes of Earl and Farrell don't qualify.

[Which Tyler]

I'm assuming spoof - not "clear and obvious" but definitely more likely than not

[twitchy]

It's a play on this scene, I think.