Anthony Watson backing Ruaridh McConnochie to shine

Anthony Watson is backing his Bath team-mate Ruaridh McConnochie ahead of his Test debut for England against Italy in Newcastle on Friday.

The clash at St James’ Park is England’s last World Cup warm-up match before heading to Japan on Sunday, and alongside Watson – who will play at full-back on Friday – McConnochie has been named in Eddie Jones’ starting team on the wing.

“Having played with Ruaridh at club level I know a bit about him and what to expect, how I can help him and how he can help me, which will be useful,” Watson told England Rugby.

“It’s blown my mind how he has come into the set-up mid-to-early season last year, always hungry and trying to learn. Nothing has fazed him and he’s taken everything in his stride. It’s a testament to him as a bloke.”

A former England Sevens specialist, McConnochie won Olympic silver with Great Britain at Rio 2016 – alongside Watson’s brother Marcus – before transitioning to the 15-a-side game ahead of the 2018/19 season.

“Marcus said he was deceptive which sums him up well,” Watson added. “Deceptively strong in how he carries the ball, he always breaks tackles, never gives up and doesn’t seem to go down easily.”

Watson will feature at the back for England on Friday for the first time since England’s loss to Ireland at Twickenham in March 2018, but he insists his mindset is unchanged.

“Having played wing last two games, it gives me a better perspective of what I expect from the full back and what the full back expects of a winger. I just need to be very vocal back there and talk,” he added.

“The whole time we have been in camp the back three has been interchangeable.”