Rugby World Cup 2019: Joe Cokanasiga reveals how big-Test nerves leave him questioning if he is good enough for England

Wing reveals how he questioned himself before facing Australia and Wales in the past year – only to star in try-scoring victories to justify his place in the side

England’s powerhouse wing Joe Cokanasiga has admitted that he gets so nervous before big Test matches that he questions whether he is good enough to represent the national team, having done exactly that before facing Australia and Wales - who are set to be their Rugby World Cup quarter-final opposition.

Lucky for him, both games ended up with the 21-year-old scoring a try in impressive victories, which he puts down to the ability to “flicking a switch” as soon as the whistle goes that enables him to justify his place on the biggest stage.

“I get quite nervous playing against the big teams like Australia and Wales, and sometimes I question myself whether I can do it,” he said.

“But then once I’m in the game I’m back to my normal sense and just try to do what I do.

“I think it’s quite good. Obviously I hate being nervous but it shows that you do care. But once that whistle goes, something just goes and you think ‘I’m here for a reason’, so I just try to show it.”

Cokanasiga has the potential to prove England’s secret weapon, should he secure a place in the England starting XV at the business end of the tournament if he can pip the likes of Anthony Watson, Jack Nowell, Jonny May and Ruaridh McConnochie to one of the shirts.

Eddie Jones will not have too many concerns over Cokanasiga’s pre-match nerves, given his scoring record since breaking onto the scene under a year ago.

The Bath wing has scored five international tries in just six starts for England, which should be enough to convince the Australia that there is no risk surrounding Cokanasiga’s selection deep into the tournament even if he suffers the same sudden lack of self-confidence.

But there is one thing that for Cokanasiga tops scoring tries, despite the sight of his passionate celebrations at Twickenham becoming a trademark of his game.

“I think singing the national anthem tops that, it’s the best thing and a dream come true,” he said. “I saw the video of Lewis Ludlam [after his England debut]. I nearly cried on my first one and it’s good to see Luds and how hard he’s worked since he’s come in. He deserved that start.

“Once you’re singing the national anthem you get a lot of emotions coming through and you feel like everything you’ve done has been worth it just for this moment.”

Joe Cokanasiga gets to grips with paddleboarding during England's training camp in Miyazaki (Getty)

With England set to take on one of the two Pool D heavyweights in Australia or Wales in the quarter-finals if they secure progression from Pool C themselves, Cokanasiga will have to find a way of managing the pressure of what would be the biggest game of his young career.

Jones suggested as much during the warm-up games, although the Australian hinted that he is worth persisting with given what he can offer the side that no other wide option at his disposal can.

“Form is not something you keep and put on the mantelpiece,” Jones said last month. “He’s a young player and he’s going to have ups and downs, but his ups are pretty good and his downs are something he’s got to keep working through.”