Dan Cole gets chance to impress

Thursday 11 February 2010
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > England

England fans will get a chance to take a look at a prop who has been waiting for his first start, after Martin Johnson confirmed Dan Cole will get the nod this weekend.

His selection in the front row has not surprised many people, with the 22-year-old impressing when he came off the bench against Wales and could be the perfect replacement for David Wilson who is suffering from a bruised neck.

"Dan comes from the right sort of culture at Leicester. They don't moan, they get on with it, and are hard-nosed," said England forwards' coach John Wells.

Cole has been steadying the Leicester scrum this season after injuries to Julian White and Martin Castrogiovanni threatened to unsteady the Tigers' pack.

The prop's pace and agility has impressed commentators like Robert Kitson of the Guardian, who said that Cole is one of the most exciting English tightheads since Phil Vickery.