Francis sets sights on England

By Mark Stevens

Tomas Francis’ whirlwind year took another twist yesterday as he propped himself up alongside royalty at the official Rugby World Cup cap presentation for the Welsh team.

In a special ceremony at London's Guildhall, the Exeter Chiefs prop was awarded his RWC 2015 cap by HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, along with World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

It was the latest honour to be bestowed upon the 23-year-old forward, who just over a year ago was packing down in the Championship for former club London Scottish.

However, fast forward the clock to present day and not only does Francis find himself as part of a formidable Exeter pack, but he’s since gone on to force his way into Warren Gatland’s plans at international level too.

Although born in York, the imposing 135kg forward, whose grandmother hails from the same Swansea Valley village as celebrated Welsh prop Adam Jones, has pledged his allegiance to the Principality and on Saturday he won his third cap during their 54-9 success against Uruguay.

It was the ideal start to the World Cup for the Welsh, who are now focusing their attentions fully on this Saturday’s 127th encounter with hosts England at Twickenham

Francis, who was used as a replacement for Samson Lee in Saturday’s opener at the Millennium Stadium, is hopeful of again being included and running out at English Rugby HQ for the first time in his career.

“It was good to get my first experience of it all at the weekend,” said Francis. “The atmosphere, the bus route to the stadium, I’ve never experienced anything like it before and I know it’s only going to get bigger as the tournament continues.

“To say I’ve played in a World Cup is a brilliant feeling and something I can hopefully experience more of over the next few weeks. Obviously the focus for us now is England on Saturday and what I know will be a massive game for both of us.”

With two-time winners Australia also included in Pool A, the importance of victory for both England and Wales is paramount, particularly if they harbour hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Francis, however, is looking forward to the challenge ahead, adding: “I relish it, really. We know what’s coming, and we are looking forward to. Playing in the Premiership, I have played against all of them pretty much, and I know what they can bring. That said, we have got plenty to match them and even take them on, I think.

“I wouldn’t say we have to stand up to them. We don’t fear them at all. As a Welsh team, we don’t care where we play – home or away. Our record shows we enjoy it.


“We go to London on Monday, and we are there ready for it. We don’t need to get any motivation for it – everyone is up for it. England at Twickenham in their World Cup, it doesn’t get much bigger than that.”

Indeed it doesn’t, but neither does meeting a member of the Royal Family, which Francis and all of his Welsh colleagues did on Monday.

“It was a real honour and a privilege to meet and receive my World Cup cap from Prince William,” continued Francis, who is one of seven current Chiefs featuring at this year’s tournament.

And with three of his Exeter team-mates part of Stuart Lancaster’s squad this weekend, Francis is desperate to be part of the white-hot heat of battle at Twickenham.

“They (England) will want to take us on physically,” he said. “If their pack gets dominance, they will back themselves. If we can match them and give our backs a platform, I would fancy our backs to knock them over.

“We cannot read too much into that (England’s opening win against Fiji last Friday). There was a lot of emotion in that game for them – it would have been one of the biggest occasions for their guys.

“It was the same for us (against Uruguay). It is a game you need to come through. These sides are going to go for it, but we have (both) come through with wins and five points. We have to stop their pack. In the Six Nations, they played off their pack to get that dominance. If we can pressure their nine and 10 and get them nervy, it will be important. It’s a big game.”