Missing you already, George, says Ewels!

ENGLAND hopeful Charlie Ewels admits he will return to training at Bath with an extra spring in his step now Test rival George Kruis has confirmed his move to Japan.

- NEALE HARVEY

Kruis’ ‘one-year-plus-one’ deal with Panasonic potentially removes him for the next two seasons, so 24-year old Ewels moves up the pecking order behind Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury.

Ewels, so close to World Cup selection before Launchbury took the final second-row place, told The Rugby Paper: “I didn’t punch the air when George announced it, but I probably should have. I might get a game now and I’ll definitely send a message to say, ‘thanks!’.

“Seriously, though, good on him. It’s something George (right) wanted to do and he’s a good guy who’s been hugely successful with England and Saracens. He’s always had a bit of an edge towards travelling and experiencing a different culture, but I’m sure he’ll be back and one guy going doesn’t mean anything because the level of competition in England is ridiculous – you saw that with Alex Moon before the Six Nations.

“Alex came into the squad from Northampton and, having played against him a couple of times, he’s a big, physical guy who reminds you that nothing in rugby, and particularly international rugby, is ever a given. You’ve got to fight and scrap for everything, keep pushing and competing because the moment you stop improving the next guy will go flying right past you.”