It’s mine and I’m here to stay
POSSESSION is nine tenths of the law as they say, so few will begrudge the sight of Shane Geraghty running out at Twickenham in the famous all-white of England on Saturday.
Rejuvenated by a move to Northampton from London Irish in the closed season, the stylish back impressed team boss Martin Johnson sufficiently enough to win a third Test start for Saturday’s autumn opener against Australia.
Despite the disappointing 18-9 defeat, Geraghty demonstrated the odd piece of magic and now the 23-year-old retains his place in the side for the first time ahead of this weekend’s showdown with Argentina.
Since bursting onto the scene as a talented fly-half or centre, Geraghty’s international chances have been limited somewhat by the likes of Riki Flutey and Toby Flood in the England midfield. But with his two rivals for the No12 shirt joining part of England’s ever-growing queue for the treatment table, Geraghty finally has his chance to cement his place – and he won’t give it up lightly!
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” the Saints star told City.A.M. “It was bitterly disappointing not to have beaten the Wallabies last week, especially with the start we had, but it’s all about learning from our mistakes for the next game and I’m delighted to have kept the shirt for Argentina.
“Shirts 10 to 12 are always competitive but there are always going to be injuries in the squad, so it’s a case of putting yourself in the position to be called up, then taking your chance as and when it comes. With Toby and Riki injured, my chance has come and I’m determined to hang onto this shirt for the All Blacks next week and then into the Six Nations. That’s the aim.”
Geraghty’s inclusion last week also saw him play alongside his idol Jonny Wilkinson for the first time, and the young gun admits it was an experience to behold. “It was a real pleasure,” he added. “I was fascinated watching him pick the Aussie guys up and drive them 20 yards. I learned so much from his game, he was a real inspiration.”
Despite clearly enjoying the presence of Wilkinson alongside him, Geraghty was disappointed with the attacking display against the Wallabies, but knows just what is required, both individually and collectively, for England to get off the mark against the Pumas on Saturday.
“International rugby is about thinking clearly under pressure and learning there is more pressure on you as an individual to make the right decision,” he added. “Every game is vital to adding to that learning process and I, for one, am benefiting from that.
“As a team, this a good opportunity for us to show what we are capable of.”
l Tickets for the Investec Challenge Series match are available from £45 for adults and £10 for under 16s via www.rfu.com/tickets or by calling 0844 8472492.
ENGLAND XV TO FACE ARGENTINA
15 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester)
12 Shane Geraghty (Northampton)
11 Matt Banahan (Bath)
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
9 PaulHodgson (London Irish)
1 Tim Payne (Wasps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton)
3 Duncan Bell (Bath)
4 Louis Deacon (Leicester)
5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, capt)
6 Tom Croft (Leicester)
7 Lewis Moody (Leicester)
8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)
Replacements: SteveThompson (Brive), PaulDoran-Jones (Gloucester), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Worsley (Wasps), DannyCare (Harlequins), Andy Goode (Brive), Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz)