Former England winger Ugo Monye has backed full-back George Furbank to make a massive impact in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.
Furbank was one of eight uncapped players named in Eddie Jones’ squad after an impressive start to the season for Northampton Saints.
The 23-year-old has scored three tries in 11 appearances this term, playing a key role in Saints’ rise to second in the English Premiership table.
And Monye – who was speaking at the official launch of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations at Tobacco Dock in east London earlier this week – hopes Jones will unleash Furbank on the international scene.
“I think he is a player that can have a massive impact on England. He has just got to get a chance,” said Monye.
“We have seen eight brand new players coming into this England side and I hope they all get opportunities.
“I have been really excited by not just what George is providing but the culture in which he has been learning in under the tutelage of Chris Boyd at Northampton Saints.
“I think it has allowed him as well as a whole host of other young players to really go out, express themselves and play some wonderful rugby so I’m excited to see what he might bring.”
Monye, who played in the 2009 and 2010 Championships, has tipped England to win the Guinness Six Nations.
Yet he reckons a France side now led by Fabien Galthie could also impress due to the influence of ex-Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards.
“The Six Nations following a World Cup offers up so many opportunities,” Monye said. “You get new blood in and some old heads who retire so it is a period of transition.
“You always see Grand Slams after a World Cup, so I am hoping for another one. My favourites for the tournament are England quite naturally.
“They got to the World Cup final and the other one has got to be France. I love the look of their squad. It’s young, so can they deal with the pressure?
“Any team that’s got Shaun Edwards as part of it are going to be successful so it will be interesting to see how they do.”
England kick off their campaign with a trip to Paris to face France on Sunday, February 2 and Monye believes the clash could go a long way to deciding the title.
“England have the opportunity to really get off on the right foot,” Monye added. “You have fallow weeks but when you are able to get hold of momentum it’s really hard to wrestle it back.
“England will get a huge amount of confidence if they turn over a good French side.”
