We can bring the cup home, says Balshaw

ENGLAND'S rugby union squad set out for the other side of the world next month expected to bring back the World Cup.

The fact that even people whose interest in the game is merely fleeting are well aware this could one of the nation's finest sporting hours just serves to sum up the standing of England's rugby players hold right now.

And a stunning 10 per cent of the squad that are heading for Australia are old boys of Stonyhurst College.

Blackburn-born Iain Balshaw, Will Greenwood, who hails from Hurst Green, and Kyran Bracken, the Bristol half back, will all be vying for places in England's back division as coach Clive Woodward's 30-strong squad lands in Australia.

For one school it is a remarkable feat to see their alumni involved on such a grand scale in an assault on the biggest prize in the 15-a-side code and they can rest assured that their former pupils have got tunnel vision when it comes to trying to claim that prize.

For Balshaw, whose ability to operate at full-back and across the three-quarter line will open up opportunities in Australia, the target is already very much in his sights.

"We are all focused on ensuring that we do well in the World Cup." he said.

"Obviously it is the aim of every team to play well, but we have to feel that if we play well enough we have got what it takes to win the World Cup."

Certainly England's domination of recent Six Nations tournaments has rubber stamped their ascendancy in the northern hemisphere and victories in the past 12 months over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa during a record-breaking string of 14 successive wins have suggested that they could lord it over the super powers of rugby in the southern hemisphere.

But to become the greatest English side in history they have to prove their worth in their rivals backyard.

However, Balshaw was not unduly perturbed and said: "Going there is not really a problem.

"The grounds are hard but we have done plenty of preparation and played out there and I would say everyone in the squad is pretty much used to the conditions.

"There has to be some advantage to Australia because they are playing on their own soil in front of partisan crowds, but these days you have to accept that all the top side will be thoroughly prepared.

"When you look at who will do well in the tournament Australia, New Zealand and South Africa come instantly to mind, but I would definitely say that France have got a good chance if they play well - and the same goes for Ireland.

"What it comes down to is being able to to produce a sustained level of performance throughout the tournament and then also be able to to pull out the special performances when you need them.

"To do that you have to be focused as a squad and we are working hard to ensure that we are focused in that manner."

Of the Stonyhurst trio Greenwood, son of a former England international Richard, is perhaps the only one to feel his place in the starting line-up is assured, but Balshaw feels that no one in the England party has been left in any doubt that they are playing a part in the push to bring the World Cup home.

"It is all about the team and all the guys are committed to giving their best in the games ahead," said Balshaw.

"There are 15 players who take the field but what they do is based on what we do as a squad of 30. It is all about working towards what we have to do to produce a winning team on the field and all 30 of us are involved in that."

Balshaw factfile

POSITION: Backs

DOB: Blackburn - Saturday, 14th April 1979

INTERNATIONAL DEBUT: Saturday, 5th February 2000 v Ireland (Replacement) Twickenham won 50-18

CLUB: Bath

Balshaw was one of the youngest players on the British and Irish Lions 2001 tour of Australia. He came on as a replacement in all three Tests and is seen as one of the most exciting young prospects in English rugby.

After a devastating season for England in 2000, which included putting through the deft grubber kick to set up Dan Luger's try in the nail-biting victory over the Wallabies at Twickenham, "Balsh" is tipped for big things.

Injury and a dip in form saw him drop out of England team calculations for awhile, and it looked briefly as if he even may lose his Rugby World Cup spot, but he returned to his best against France at Twickenham in England's final warm up Test and cemented his place in the 30 man squad.

Highly regarded as one of English rugby's most exciting talents and a potent attacking force for the Rugby World Cup, vividly illustrated when he scored his first international tries in the 2001 Six Nations against Italy and added two during the next match against Scotland.

A product of Stonyhurst College, Balshaw joined the Bath Rugby Academy in 1997, and after only a few brief appearances for the second team, then club coach Andy Robinson - later Lions and now England Assistant Coach - saw that Balshaw had what it takes to appear for the first XV.

Balshaw was thrown in to the deep-end for his Bath debut, coming from the bench in the Heineken Cup clash against Brive at "The Rec" - Bath's home ground - a repeat of the 1998 final which saw Bath snatch the trophy in Bordeaux.

Robinson's faith was rewarded as Balshaw soon rose to prominence in the senior game in 1998-99 by scoring 13 tries for Bath in the English Premiership. He has the versatility to appear at fullback or wing and, after winning his first five Test caps as a replacement, has now played in 16 Tests in all, scoring 12 tries.

A talented all round sportsman, the 1.84 metre, 83 kilo Balshaw also played cricket and tennis for his county Lancashire at junior level.

He also played in the England Under 21 side which beat South Africa 32-10 at Twickenham, alongside clubmates Mike Tindall and Steve Borthwick, who also went on to win England colours - Tindall joining Balshaw in the England Rugby World Cup squad.