Back the forward of choice

Size doesn't matter is the premise on which a thousand assurances are spawned, unless one happens to be Neil Back. The England flanker has devoted most of his senior rugby career to vindicating that assertion.

Initially unsuccessful in his quest, he now serves as an inspiration, decrying the notion that there is no place in the elite of modern professional rugby for a forward under six foot in height.

In acknowledging his contribution for the Lions, England and Leicester in the past two seasons alone, one is astonished at the small number of England caps he possesses - a paltry 17. His talent deserved a half-century or more.

His debut against Scotland in 1994 suggested the opening overture in a long career but his sojourn on the national side was brief. He dismissed that period of his England career as "a waste of time for the style of rugby we adopted." The law of the boot held sway. Affable and articulate, the 30-year-old Leicester player concedes that his recollection of those days is tinged with an ironic smile. "I think that it is quite ironic that people questioned my defensive capabilities but that stems from one match, one incident. I was playing for England A against South Africa at Bristol and Adrian Richter ran over me from five metres for a try."

The former Springbok international has accomplished that feat against bigger players than Back but that was not the view of the England selectors at the time. Back admitted: "He (Richter) would run over a lot of people - a view I shared - but a lot of people looked at that and said, well he (Back) is just too small. I must have run past players twice my size 20 times that night but it counted for nothing.

"If you're good enough you're big enough. The disappointing thing for me was that being small was not an excuse or reason for not being selected." Former Great Britain rugby league coach Phil Lardner, who works with the England rugby union team, rejects claims that Back is not a good defender, indeed citing his defensive skill as one his strengths.

"I found it quite ironic looking back that there was a question mark and now there isn't," says Back. "I know I haven't changed that much."

There was also a school of thought that suggested he was only suited to the more expansive game, an argument without substance when one considers that he has been an integral part of Leicester teams under Bob Dwyer and Dean Richards.

More diverse coaching styles one could hardly imagine. Under former Australian coach Dwyer Leicester look to broaden their horizons from the traditional stronghold of the pack. Richards, when faced with adversity and serious contests in the English Premiership, is an advocate of the "squeeze the life out of them first" philosophy. Back was and is indispensable to both coaches.

Fortunately Back can finally climb down from the rooftops, his quality recognised by the people that matter. England coach Clive Woodward publicly concedes that he is among the first names to go on the teamsheet. Back's incredible work-rate and handling skills are readily apparent at any level.

Born in Coventry, he was introduced to rugby aged six by his next-door neighbour, whose father played for the local club, Earlsdon. However, at Woodlands School he played every team sport open to him, finding a place on the school rugby, soccer, cricket, basketball, hockey and athletics teams. "I never left school when the bell went, I always went on to do some sport."

It was only when he was picked to play for Coventry at rugby and soccer at 15 that he knew a choice had to be made. "As I played for a local Sunday League side in football I decided to give rugby a go at school."

He played at England Schools and Colts level and followed Coventry coach Jim Robinson to Nottingham, where he spent two years there as understudy to England flanker Gary Rees. Chosen for the England under-21s, he was told by the team's coach, Tony Russ, to join Leicester, where Russ was going as first team coach. Back once again was happy to be directed.

"Fortunately Ian Smith, the openside (flanker) retired at that time and I went straight into the first team. Dean Richards was a big influence in the early days - he was one of the guys I wanted to play alongside to enhance my ambitions."

Despite the frustration of being periodically overlooked at the beginning of his England career, Back has no hesitation in citing the Steve Lander incident as the low point in his career. Back received a six-month ban for pushing the referee in the Pilkington Cup final after Lander had awarded a late penalty try to Bath, allowing the latter a 16-15 victory over Leicester.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing which I bitterly regret. I used that six months as positively as I could. I was able to go away and train specifically for rugby and get myself into fantastic condition."

Despite missing England's Anti-podean nightmare last summer with a groin strain Back has been a prominent figure in Woodward's teams.

Having played against the best, whom does he rate? "Andre Venter is a big, powerful guy but has all the skills and Josh Kronfeld is always in and around the ball. He's good defensively."

He also praises a man closer to home, Eric Miller. "Unfortunately Eric's not playing but I really do rate him as a player, he's outstanding and we were sorry to see him leave Leicester. He obviously did a lot of Gaelic football, can kick with both feet and has great hands. Come to think of it, I'm glad he's not playing."

Today's match is the only thing that occupies Back at present, a contest that he believes will be very tough for England. "Ireland are full of confidence, have a great pack and backs that can finish if given good ball. They are a complete side. Some of our lads are under pressure and we will have to rise to the challenge."