Cueto enjoys settling down with England youth

Mark Cueto has seen England at their most chaotic so it is no surprise the winger is revelling in a rare period of continuity that has brought the team to the brink of a first Six Nations title in eight years.

Cueto made his debut under Andy Robinson and was part of the side whose dire run led to the coach’s sacking in 2006.

He was also a regular during the subsequent reign of Brian Ashton when England swung from a series of appalling performances to the World Cup final and back again before he too was dismissed.

The Sale man then served under Martin Johnson in the era of Steve Borthwick’s captaincy when it seemed the team were going backwards and a winger’s only opportunity to handle the ball was to field the kickoff.

Now, however, Cueto heads into Sunday’s match against Scotland at Twickenham as part of the most settled unit in the team (excepting loosehead) which is unchanged for the fourth Six Nations match in a row having achieved three wins from three games in 2011.

“Having that consistency is a massive help,” Cueto told Reuters in an interview. “When people ask me what’s the difference now to 12 or 18 months ago I put it down to the continuity in the squad.

“There’s actually not a huge amount of difference in what we’re trying to do. It might look very different but what we’ve got now is a squad who have been together for 12-18 months and that really helps.

“That continuity with the staff, the relationships get better on and off the field, everything, and you start to see the hard work in the results we’re getting,” Cueto added.

“It also means when you meet up for the Six Nations after being apart for a few months you hit the ground running and everything picks up that much quicker than when you have 10 or 12 new players in the squad.”

BACK THREE

What is different about 18 months ago is the make up of the back three. Remarkably Cueto, fellow wing Chris Ashton, 23, and fullback Ben Foden, 25, have played the last 10 games together unchanged.

Their positive approach has infused the whole squad and given England fans something to cheer again after the poor fare being served up in incumbent Johnson’s early days as manager.

“Part of it is luck with not getting injured but we’re playing well, consistently doing the right thing, so it makes it easier for the management to keep picking everyone,” said Cueto.

The 31-year-old veteran has filled the role of wise old owl to his speedy young partners and says their exuberance has rubbed off on everyone around them.

“The young guys are getting there but they still need the odd backhander now and again,” said Cueto.

“Their ability and the enthusiasm they bring to the team gives a lift to guys like me and Tinds (Mike Tindall) who have been around a bit longer and it’s fantastic.”

Winger Ashton has taken most of the headlines in his amazing first year, scoring nine tries in 10 tests, which rings a bell with Cueto who had exactly the same return when he burst on to the scene with his powerful running and eye for the line.

Things have been somewhat less prolific in the last two years though, his score against Italy last month was his only try in 20 matches.

“Scoring that try was a relief,” said Cueto who was mobbed by the entire team after the touchdown. “It was a frustrating period but my form was good.”

Cueto will win his 49th cap on Sunday with his 50th due in the possible title and grand slam decider in Ireland six days later.

“I’ve played Scotland four times with a loss and a draw away but two wins at home so hopefully we’ll make that three,” he said.

“Getting my 50th cap and winning the title in Ireland would be awesome but, fingers crossed, let’s get this game won first.”