1
‘Nothing to do with aura’: Four pointers as Scotland target first win v All Blacks
1
{{item.n}}
Multi-talented Ben Earl reveals the sports target he's chasing outside of rugby
Comment
Share 
Ben Earl is ready to ramp his pursuit of becoming a scratch golfer as his self-imposed World Cup deadline fast approaches.
England’s explosive No.8 jokes that he has become a “professional golfer who plays a bit of rugby on the side” as he looks to bring his 4.6 handicap down to zero by the time Steve Borthwick’s squad land in Australia for next year’s global showpiece.
Now that he has completed his 15,000-word dissertation about rule changes in rugby as part of his masters in sports directorship with Manchester Met, Earl can dedicate himself to his goal.
VIDEO
“I need to really start focusing,” said the 28-year-old, who also played cricket for Kent as a teenager. “I’ve got a load of spare time, so I’m keen to play.
“It’s looking unlikely at the moment. I’ve sort of blown it really, I put a bit too much pressure on myself. We’ll see.
“I like any excuse to play more golf and this just means I have to practice a bit more in the winter.
“The day I picked for it is September 16 and completely by chance that’s the day we land in Australia, so I could be in tears then!
“It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m obviously massively passionate about my golf and love playing. People have been very generous on the back of it.”
Earl has started all eight of England’s Tests so far in 2026 and is expected to continue in the back row when Borthwick names his team for the autumn opener against Australia at Allianz Stadium.
With Ollie Chessum the likely pick at blindside flanker, the biggest area of uncertainty is at seven where the Curry twins, Tom and Ben, and Henry Pollock are competing for the jersey for the Nations Championship showdown on Sunday.
Borthwick must choose between Alex Coles and George Martin to partner Maro Itoje in the second row, while Henry Slade, Will Joseph and Joe Marchant are in a shootout to join Seb Atkinson in midfield.
Fin Smith has Friday’s final training session to prove his fitness after struggling with a calf injury, putting George Ford and Marcus Smith on standby as his replacement.
Australia have had an inconsistent 2026 but one area of certainty is that they will compete hard at the breakdown, a department of the game that is less competitive in the attack-focused Gallagher Prem.
England could be under-prepared on the floor, but Earl said: “I’ve always found the transition to be manageable.
“The increased competition is a really good thing and I know I can push the envelope a little bit more. It’s higher octane and that’s what we play it for.”
1 YEAR TO GO
The countdown is on until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever kicks off in Australia. Go All Out and secure your seats with tickets now available!
