‘I’ve seen how much it means to them’ – Sam Underhill
Sam Underhill has admitted an England v Wales game is about more than just rugby ahead of their Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
The back-row, who’s starred defensively this Championship, knows more than most about the two countries having played for the Ospreys.
Now with Bath, the destructive flanker is gearing up for the resumption of the Six Nations and cannot wait for the occasion this weekend.
“There’s definitely a special sense of occasion,” he told the Six Nations’ website. “I’ll never be able to know what it really means for them because I’m English but you definitely sense there’s an extra edge and added emotion.
“There’s obviously more to England versus Wales than just rugby. Obviously none of us work at Westminster but it’s important to recognise what the game means to both parties.
“From living over there I’ve seen how much it means to them as a nation. As a player it’s always one to look forward to; it’s the game you want to play in.
“In the era of professional sport you can’t let things like that distract you too much but for the fans there’s definitely something else.”
2019 champions Wales are struggling so far in 2020, having lost two of their opening three matches, with England winning two fixtures.
🗣️ "It will be Maunder’s first call-up to the senior ranks since 2017, when he won his one and only Test cap on the summer tour to Argentina." #ENGvWAL #GuinnessSixNations
🏴 Jack Maunder called up to England squad. 👉 https://t.co/XrSzKcWMdi pic.twitter.com/kf0zgOF41V
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 2, 2020
Despite differing form, this meeting never disappoints and Underhill is looking forward to kick-off and squaring off with friend Justin Tipuric.
“I learned a lot from him. He’s a phenomenal player and definitely the most skilful back-row I’ve played with or against,” said the flanker.
“He’s very gifted and those are the guys you want to play against. You want to play against the best, as a team and an individual.”
He added: “Against Ireland we showed with our performance that we are capable of more. We can still get better as a group in terms of performance. We never think we’re there.
“The only thing we can do is focus on the next game and put ourselves in as good a position as possible in the tournament. We can’t predict or influence what is going to happen with anyone other than ourselves.”