British & Irish Lion Ben Youngs believes he’s become an influential voice in the England dressing room after a fine year to date.
Youngs, 25, needed to fight his way back into England’s starting XV after returning from Australia with the Lions in 2013 due to a lack of form.
But he’s started the last seven Tests for Stuart Lancaster with the World Cup looming and was one of England’s star performers during the spring, crossing against Italy and twice against France.
And the scrum-half insists he’s developed into a leader since taking over the Leicester Tigers captaincy in place of the injured Ed Slater at the start of last season.
“My aim is to continue where I left off in the Six Nations, but there are still areas where I can improve,” Youngs told The Guardian.
“I am managing games better, putting the boys in the right areas and not being too loose when we are chasing a game.
“It has been about making small gains and captaining Leicester has helped. You have to make sure you’re setting an example, acting in a way you expect others to.
“Stuart (Lancaster) has always been really keen on developing eight to ten leaders within the side because he realises how important that is when it comes to making decisions in big games and I feel very much part of that.”
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