Jack Clifford faces a fresh challenge at Harlequins after breakthrough season

Running man: Jack Clifford had a stunning season for club and country
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Chris Jones2 September 2016

Twelve months ago, Jack Clifford was just trying to break into Harlequins’ back row but he starts this season as favourite to fill the England No7 role vacated by the injured James Haskell.

Foot surgery has ruled Haskell out of England’s autumn Tests against Australia, Argentina, South Africa and Fiji and head coach Eddie Jones must make the right call in what is a vital area of the sport.

The debate over who should be England’s open-side will be intense, with Clifford hoping his form convinces Jones that he is the man.

Clifford will be at No8 against Bristol at Twickenham tomorrow, filling the role vacated by former England captain Nick Easter, who has retired and taken the role of defence coach with the club.

Easter was the glue that held Quins’ pack together and his loss will be keenly felt unless Clifford can adapt his game to deliver a similar, dominating style of rugby.

He will have former England captain Chris Robshaw at blind-side and Luke Wallace, another player desperate to prove he can be England’s No7, at open-side.

How does Clifford view that scenario and the battle to replace Haskell?

“Twelve months ago, did I see what has happened coming? Absolutely not and I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” said Clifford, who has eight caps and played a part in England’s stunning 3-0 series win over Australia in the summer.

“There have been a few times after the England tour to Australia when I sat down with my family and was able to reflect on everything and it is very special. It really has been a good 12 months, although it has all been a bit of a blur!

“Any back rowers in the Premiership would like the chance to replace James in the England team and it is going to be extremely competitive. I haven’t had any specific chats with Eddie Jones about my position — it’s been more on the areas where I can improve and setting new goals.

“All I can do is become the best player I can be at Quins. The breakdown is so important but it’s not just a case of back-rowers getting over the ball. There are wingers and full-backs who are awesome over the ball and everyone is pushing themselves to new performance levels. All players have to be good at the breakdown.”

Easter’s retirement has removed a wealth of experience from the pack and Clifford knows he must step up to the plate as he pulls on that No8 jersey.

The presence of Wallaby captain James Horwill and Robshaw in the pack ensures plenty of leadership is on offer, but the No8 can lead by example — and that is Clifford’s aim.

He admitted: “There is a massive hole to fill with Nick having retired and my focus is on getting my head down and doing whatever I can to help the club.

“Hopefully, that will help me when it comes to the autumn Tests and you hope people are watching what is a very special year for Quins (it is the club’s 150th anniversary). Chris, Luke and I did well when we played together last season. We complement each other and that helped the pack.”

The club are under the control of John Kingston after Conor O’Shea left to coach Italy. The fact that Kingston switched from head coach to director of rugby has helped the club move on quickly from O’Shea’s successful tenure. With Easter in charge of defence and former Lions and England coach Graham Rowntree now in charge of the forwards, there are new voices on the training pitch.

Clifford added: “Because it is JK who has taken over, it has made it easier and it is also good that there are some new guys involved.

“Graham is a class coach and has brought real physicality to our training sessions, which has gone down well. Nick has always been someone I have learnt from and that remains the case. He is mentor and a font of rugby knowledge.”

He added: “Being the 150th season, we don’t want to get too bogged down on the romanticism and want to go out and perform consistently, starting with the London Double Header against Bristol. They have a great squad and we’re looking forward to a first hit out of the season.”

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