Nick Tompkins not interested in hype ahead of Wales’ game with England

Nick Tompkins has no intention of getting caught up in inevitable hype that will accompany the build-up towards Wales’ Guinness Six Nations showdown with England at Twickenham later this month.

For Saracens centre Tompkins that should mean opposing a number of his club colleagues – players like Maro Itoje, Max Malins and Jamie George – as the tournament reaches its halfway point.

“I know how personal it is in terms of the history of the rivalry and stuff, and I love that,” he said.

“For me, I work better when I am level-headed. I don’t want to get too involved in that emotional side because I feel sometimes it can waste energy.

“I will look forward to playing some of the Saracens boys, and I will definitely want to give them a couple! But it is not something I will want to thrive my energy massively from.”

Tompkins, an England Under-20 international who qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, finds himself in a fiercely-competitive midfield area.

I will look forward to playing some of the Saracens boys, and I will definitely want to give them a couple- Wales and Saracens centre Nick Tompkins

But fine displays against Ireland and Scotland have arguably put him top of a pile that also features Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin and a fit-again Uilisi Halaholo, with wing Josh Adams also an option there for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

“The competition is there. That’s good, it is there and alive,” added Tompkins, who has won 18 caps.

“We all have to step up and take the lead and show what we can do. I want to be in the starting 12 or 13 – that is my personal goal – but there are other lads as well, brilliant players, who also want the same.

“We will help each other through it. Whoever starts will get the backing of