‘I’m not just content to be here’ – Sam Underhill keen to build on resurgence with England

England openside flanker Sam Underhill is enjoying his resurgence during the Red Rose’s Six Nations campaign after he feared his time in the international arena had run its course.

Underhill is set to make his 34th Test appearance when England host Ireland in their highly anticipated clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 27-year-old is back in favour under England head coach Steve Borthwick and views his recall as a personal victory after missing 20 successive Tests from the second game of the 2022 tour to Australia due to a combination of concussion and selection.

His resurgence started when he was added to England’s 2023 World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Jack Willis ahead of the global showpiece’s knockout phase.

‘Delivered a defensive masterclass’

He made full use of his opportunity as he delivered a defensive masterclass when called up to England‘s run-on side for their bronze medal play-off against Argentina.

Underhill made 24 tackles in that encounter, which earned him the man of the match award, and has now started in all three of England’s Six Nations Tests against Italy, Wales and Scotland – something which gives him great satisfaction.

“It’s been class. All I wanted to do was to get back into this team and, if I’m perfectly honest, I was doubtful that that would happen,” Underhill said.

“This is the first time I’ve done a full campaign with Steve, under him as a coach. I played in the Aussie tour and then v didn’t play again until the third-fourth play-off, which was 18 months.

“My aim personally was to get back here. Now that I am, as a player you’re constantly looking for challenges, or things to go wrong or not be going that well.

“Whereas actually now, I am where I want to be and while I want to keep on improving, I have taken a moment to say to myself, ‘hey, you’re doing it, well done’.

“I’m not just content to be here; I want to win with this team and help and perform as well as I can for them. It’s been class.”

Underhill’s status amongst his peers was evident when he was axed early from England’s World Cup training squad. Back-row partner Ben Earl said at the time the Bath star’s omission was a “shock” to the quad.

Underhill came to prominence as one half of former England boss Eddie Jones’ ‘Kamikaze Kids’ – alongside Tom Curry – at the 2019 World Cup in France where the Red Rose finished as runners-up to South Africa.

He was expected to kick on at the 2023 World Cup in France but had to be satisfied with playing in the Premiership Rugby Cup for Bath, which left him trying to figure out the peculiarities of selection.

Not taking his position for granted

“It would be remiss of me, and certainly any player, to think that they have to be in any team,” Underhill said.

“I respect the other players too much to say ‘I should be there’. A decision’s going to have to be made at some point, someone’s going to miss out.

“But someone missing out doesn’t mean they are a bad player. You’re not a better player for being picked than not being picked, or for getting a contract or not getting a contract. That’s the hard thing to get your head around sometimes.

“A lot of people talk about being process-driven, but that’s easier said than done. When you aren’t picked, the ability to think that this isn’t actually a reflection of where I am, is important but tough.

“You’re allowed to be disappointed if you’re not selected, you’re allowed to be upset. What isn’t great for you is if you then let that affect your behaviour and let that affect your actions that come afterwards.”

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