England can win next year’s World Cup – that’s the view of one of the country’s brightest talents.
England have featured in the last two World Cup Finals but are currently ranked just sixth in the world behind New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France and Ireland.
The 2003 World Champions haven’t won a Six Nations title since that global triumph and have recorded just one victory over the three southern hemisphere giants since Martin Johnson took charge in July 2008.
But that won’t stop scrum-half sensation Ben Youngs from believing that his side have what it takes to win the game’s greatest prize in 14 months time.
"We have got to believe as English players that we are capable of winning [the World Cup] and this is a big year for many players, myself included," said Youngs, who was a pivotal figure in England’s impressive second-Test win over Australia in Sydney earlier this summer.
"The tour was fantastic and the win for us was a long time coming, we showed glimpses against France and all the boys put in a huge effort to get it right in the second Test.
"The key for us is to keep moving forward and use the performance as a base.
"It is up to the players to work hard and put in the performances and for the coaches to come up with the ideas. If we do that together there is no reason why we can't push ahead and put ourselves in good shape for New Zealand next year."
Youngs is being touted as a potential Lion in 2013, with a string of stunning performances for Leicester Tigers and an equally impressive full debut for his country thrusting him to the limelight.
Despite being just 20 years of age, Youngs is already being seen as one of the fulcrums of England’s 2011 World Cup challenge but the former Tigers academy star won’t be getting carried away with his progress.
"My game management and basic skills have to improve," added Youngs, who only made his first Leicester start in late 2007.
"There are a lot of young players who deserved a go and it was nice that it didn't just work out for me but also went well for players like Courtney, Chris [Ashton] and Ben [Foden].
"You can never rest on what skills you have got. My feet are firmly on the ground and I will work for everything I get."
