Anutone who thought Brad Barritt would slip silently into the international shadows following England’s disastrous World Cup campaign misjudged a man who has beaten the odds throughout his career.
Barritt, omitted from the team who played Uruguay in the final, meaningless pool game as Stuart Lancaster cast an eye to Japan 2019 in what proved to be his last match, is the honest yeoman who in so many ways embodied the ethos of the former regime.
But now Eddie Jones has ridden into town with promises of a brave new world, English rugby’s most written-off player is refusing to accept that with a new era comes the end of his international career.
The 29-year-old centre’s performances for Saracens since returning from the nadir of England’s World Cup exit have not shown the merest hint of a hangover or absence of hunger. In fact, Barritt appears as energised as at any point in his career.
‘I’m as hungry as ever,’ he tells Sportsmail at Saracens’ St Albans training base. ‘To represent your country is a dream come true and I want to keep on living that dream.
‘Unfortunately in rugby things don’t always go the way they’re set out to. Obviously with the World Cup, for everyone involved, it was immensely disappointing. The focus for everyone was to come back to their clubs and put together performances that are going to put you back in the frame. That’s what I feel I’ve done. I’ve concentrated on my own form and feel I’ve bounced back well.
‘I feel in fantastic shape. I’ve had a few personal bests in the gym in recent weeks. My huge ambition and driving force has always come from wanting to play for England.
‘I think as a player you always concentrate on what you do at your club because that’s what pushes you into the frame.’
Barritt won the first of his 26 international caps in Lancaster’s first game in temporary charge against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2012 and — when fit — was a virtual ever-present in England’s midfield until being overlooked in the former coach’s last game.
The temptation would be to assume he won’t be part of the next four-year cycle, but with Henry Slade’s broken leg ruling him out of the Six Nations and Barritt’s defensive guru Paul Gustard now installed in England’s coaching team, it would be churlish to write this battle-scarred warrior off again.
If Jones is looking for loyalty, commitment and honest endeavour, he need look no further than the man Lancaster trusted almost beyond all others.
While some have sought to denigrate Lancaster’s reign, Barritt remains unflinchingly loyal, while still excited about the possibility of working with Gustard again on the international stage. ‘In professional sport it’s very sad how things end up,’ Barritt said. ‘You live and die by results. Stuart did a brilliant job. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities he’s given me. I still have a huge amount of respect for him as a coach, a leader and more importantly as a man. I’ve no doubt he’ll have success wherever he goes.
‘In terms of the preparation and everything put in, you can’t fault anyone for their hard work and dedication. Unfortunately things didn’t go according to plan.
‘I’ve no doubt Paul Gustard will make a fantastic contribution to the England coaching set-up. It’s hard to put into words how much Guzzy has really done for this club. His contribution, not just to the defence but also to the running of this club, on and off the field, has been invaluable. As a coach he brings the best out of the players. His leadership, guidance and attention to detail are exceptional.
‘You only have to look at our results, having the best defence in the league for four or five seasons running. It’s something that’s evolved and got better and that’s a tribute to Guzzy and all the hard work and dedication he puts into it.
‘He allows the players to take ownership and really drive each other on, on the training pitch and more into a game. He’ll bring to England more of what he’s brought to Saracens. He’s technically brilliant and a man who commands respect. He brings out the best in people.’
While some England players in the Aviva Premiership have struggled to re-adjust to club life following the World Cup, Saracens’ contingent of Barritt, the Vunipola brothers, Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth, Jamie George and George Kruis have slipped seamlessly back into their game. It is testament to the environment created at the unbeaten north London club.
‘We’ve had a fantastic start to the season,’ said Barritt, who leads Saracens into this afternoon’s intriguing clash with title rivals Leicester in Barnet.
‘It feels like the club has taken things to a new level in terms of performances. Personally I’m really happy with how I’m playing at the moment. The phrase we refer to at the club is to “pound the rock”. It’s about trying to improve week in, week out, keeping that hunger and appetite to improve. We never look further than a game in front of us.’ – Daily Mail