Sale Sharks’ Henry Thomas has claimed he is a totally different proposition to injured prop Dan Cole, who he looks to replace in the England squad.
The 22-year-old tighthead has recently replaced Cole in the team after only making his international debut against Argentina last year.
An injury to Bath’s David Wilson for the trips to Paris and Edinburgh also gave the youngster his chance in the first team as he got his first taste of Six Nations action against Scotland.
A switch to Bath Rugby beckons this summer but it’s his current performances for club and country that are his main concern at the moment and he is keen to take inspiration from the injured Cole.
“Coley (Dan Cole) is a big character in the squad,” said Thomas, who was speaking on behalf of Marriott Hotels, an official partner of England Rugby.
“He may not be the one shouting his mouth off but quietly he is a very funny bloke and he has a lot of influence in the whole team atmosphere and he’s a very dry amusing bloke.
“The amount of caps he has got and playing for the Lions, that’s a massive goal of mine so he is the level to try and aim for but I’m my own player.”
Under Stuart Lancaster, a new generation of front-row players have emerged such as Harlequin’s Joe Marler, London Wasp’s Matt Mullan and Saracen’s Mako Vunipola.
Thomas believes his unique qualities will shine through to overcome the competition and has what it takes to impress England forward’s Coach Graham Rowntree to ensure he is a regular in the squad.
“You have got to be your own player and each player has their own selling point, their point of difference,” said Thomas.
“For me that is ball in hand stuff, carrying and link-play which is one of my main strengths I feel.
“Scrummaging is one of my big work-on areas; I feel that is going in the right direction.
“Everyone in the squad has their work-on areas and you want to be more rounded at the breakdown and you have to focus on your strengths and what has got you here.”
The 22-year-old admits that the intensity of an international game is far greater than at club level but is proud to be representing his country.
“It is definitely a step up in intensity but playing against Argentina was special because it was my first cap and you can never take that away.
“But my first Six Nations cap was pretty big when I came on against Ireland because it was amazing and I feel like I made a bit of a difference.
“That makes me feel more a part of the squad and gives me confidence going through into later games.”
Performing in the set-piece for Sale week-in-week-out is a very different beast to locking horns at international level and Thomas is aware of the effort and dedication he will need to succeed.
“The basic for any front-row forward is the scrum because you cannot play at international level without that being at a very high standard,” he said.
“That’s what I have been working on as well as the physical side of it but the scrummaging has been a big area for work and that has been going well.
“The scrums are closer together at international level and there is even less of a hit which makes the technical side of things even more important.
“I think that is starting to suit me now the more I work with the guys here.
“You don’t get that a lot in the Premiership, the referees like to keep it a bit further apart and keep the hit.
“But internationals now you are almost pre-engaged so you have to work out ways to deal with that and use it to your advantage.”
Although still young and new to the international scene, Thomas knows his abilities are improving and he is keen to draw on the knowledge of more established names.
“I can definitely see the progression being made because I’m working with guys like Dan Cole and Wig (Rowntree) and these guys have got heaps of experience.
“Those guys are fantastic scrummagers and it helps you along so I definitely feel like I have improved.”
Matt Mullan, Chris Ashton and Henry Thomas are representing the England team on behalf of Marriott Hotels, official partner of England Rugby; see how Marriott is reinventing travel at TravelBrilliantly.co.uk
