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Ben Youngs enters Test retirement comforted by the belief that England\u2019s future is in safe hands after an encouraging World Cup.<\/p>\n
Youngs made his 127th and last appearance in Friday\u2019s bronze final victory over Argentina and ends his 13-year international career as the nation\u2019s most capped men\u2019s player.<\/p>\n
Courtney Lawes has also confirmed he is bowing out of the Test arena and Jonny May is very likely to follow suit, while Dan Cole and Joe Marler are nearing the end of their time at the top.<\/p>\n
The departure of so many experienced stars \u2013 three of them cap centurions \u2013 points to an uncertain future, but Youngs believes England can leave the World Cup with confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will still be a lot of guys playing who have vast experience and who will be playing with the guys that will now start learning Test rugby,\u201d the Leicester scrum-half said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some really good leaders, some guys who have been there and done it and dragged the others along with us, along with coaches who gave us a really clear plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a plan that suited the team and what we needed right now, which was stripping it back a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarcus Smith is not inexperienced because he\u2019s got a huge amount of experience for someone of such a young age and he\u2019s now finding playing full-back a little bit different for him.<\/p>\n
There will still be a lot of guys playing who have vast experience and who will be playing with the guys that will now start learning Test rugby<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got Freddie Steward, Ollie Chessum, George Martin, you\u2019ve got a lot of guys who are going to continue to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou then marry that up with the guys like Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge and Jamie George who will still be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about getting that blend and continuity in the group, and also we\u2019ve got good coaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there is that Englishness in us when our backs are against the wall. It\u2019s a bit of bloody-mindedness \u2013 \u2018right boys, we\u2019ve got no option, we\u2019ve got to roll our sleeves up\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n