'Wiggy' enjoying his time in the sun

Editor

It has not been a bad week so far for Sale Sharks scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, writes Frank Malley.

It has not been a bad week so far for Sale Sharks scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth.

He helped club to victory over Leeds in the Guinness Premiership at the weekend. His favourite football team Manchester United demolished Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Then 'Wiggy', as he is known, picked up his clubs and posted a course record on his dad's golf course back home in Blackpool.

The best news of all, however, came when head coach Brian Ashton told him he will run out at the Stade de France on Saturday for his first start for England in the Six Nations Championship against France.

“Not been a bad week, has it?” said Wigglesworth, who hails from Wade Dooley country just outside Blackpool.

“If every week was like this I'd be a happy man. It has always been my ultimate goal to play for England. You've got to back yourself and your ability.

“I know it will be a battle to keep hold of the jersey, but it is in my hands to play well.”

It has been a remarkable journey for the 24-year-old who this time last year would have struggled to have broken into the top half dozen of scrum-halves eligible for England.

But he has eased past the likes of Andy Gomarsall, Harry Ellis, Shaun Perry and Peter Richards who have all been afflicted by either injury or poor form.

Gomarsall fails to make the squad for the French game, having been replaced by Wigglesworth for the last 20 minutes against Italy in Rome.

Ashton explained: “I felt we needed some more energy in that position to raise the tempo of our game. Wigglesworth is a good all-round footballer. He's a bright guy. He'll be able to bring in the right players at the right time.”

Ashton is looking for more zip in the vital half-back pairing with Jonny Wilkinson, something Wigglesworth knows all about having fast hands, a sweet left foot and having played a match at fly-half for Sale this season.

And if Wigglesworth lacks Test experience then he will be in good company, the French having thrown in 19-year-old Morgan Parra at scrum-half for only his third cap.

“To be playing Test rugby at 19 is very impressive,” says Wigglesworth.

“It's a massive challenge but the French are notoriously unpredictable.

“They are very dangerous in the back three. We must make sure we don't kick the ball and let them feed on it. They can play lots of ways. They can be on fire or slow the game down.”

England's priority is to get the ball more often to wing Lesley Vainikolo, who has yet to flex his considerable muscles to influential effect in this championship.

Wigglesworth said: “If you've got someone that explosive you've got to get him the ball. If he's out there in space we'll be trying to get it to him as a team.”

A spin-off of Wigglesworth's selection is that it means Sale could have two international scrum-halves on their books when Welshman Dwayne Peel joins the club next season.

It is a challenge he relishes.

“That will be a battle for next year,” said Wigglesworth.

“It has never been handed to me on a plate but that's made me a better person.”

The fact that his dad Peter worked as a dairy farmer, rising at 3am each morning, has also made him realise his fortune in being a top rugby player.

The family have since diversified, turning their Staining Lodge farm on the outskirts of Blackpool into a nine-hole golf course which Wigglesworth, a 15-handicapper, coasted round in a par 36 at the weekend.

“I wasn't keen on being a farmer seeing my dad getting up every morning but I am now claiming the course record,” he says.

It is clearly a matter of some pride, one which will be eclipsed only by a win against France on Saturday.

By Frank Malley