Andy Gomarsall backs Ben Youngs to prove quality

World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall has claimed that Ben Youngs will be key to England's hopes of success at this year's tournament.

Youngs has retained the starting spot at scrum-half ahead of Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Care as Stuart Lancaster's squad prepare for Friday's Pool A opener against Fiji at Twickenham.

Gomarsall believes that Youngs is the right man for the role and he claims that the Leicester scrum-half's leadership qualities will be crucial.

"For me, Ben Youngs is the right man to start," Gomarsall, who was a member of the 2003 World Cup winning squad, told the tournament's official website. "Danny will be champing at the bit to play but, in the nine position, you need to be more than a talented player.

"You have to be a leader, too, and that's why Youngs is getting the nod at the moment."

Youngs will win his 50th cap against Fiji on Friday.