England injury crises and two big Pro12 derbies created opportunities for several players to further their case for international selection.
GOING UP
Marland Yarde
Following recent injuries to Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell (unfortunate or the consequence of a too physical England training camp?) suddenly there are two wing spots available in the England side. Yarde staked his claim for one of them with an excellent all-round display against Northampton. He was physical going forward and looked fiery whenever he touched the ball. However, it was the maturity of his play which stood out for me – showing he is more than just a powerful and quick ball carrier. He shackled George North well (no easy feat) and his kick chase was excellent. Just put himself to the top of the list to start next month.
Kyle Sinckler
Sinckler was apparently irked by George Pisi’s comments that Northampton have ‘kind of beaten them up’ before. He seemed to decide to change that state of affairs single-handedly as he went on to produce a man-of-the-match performance, full of bruising carries and aggressive hits. Time and time again he crashed over the gain line, with one in particular setting up a series of phases that culminated in the (unfortunately) disallowed Wallace try. The England reserve tighthead spot is a very open contest – and Sinckler will no doubt be pleased that two of his rivals in Kieran Brookes and Paul Hill were on the other side.
Adam Jones
This is maybe not such a serious suggestion in terms of the Lions, but I just had to mention Adam Jones. A pretty special performance from the veteran – who wasn’t even in the match day squad until Marler pulled out at short notice. John Kingston commented after that he wasn’t sure when the last time Jones played loosehead, but to be honest I can’t remember the last time he played 75 minutes. Jones did concede two early penalties, but he demonstrated the value of experience as he learned from those, sorted out whatever the issue was and then rolled back the years to produce an excellent display against two international class tightheads. Experience and versatility are often under-valued and who knows, maybe he is just an injury crisis away from making his return with the Lions (Matt Stevens in 2013 anyone?).
Maro Itoje
England have another injury crisis in the seven shirt. Mike Williams broke his arm at the weekend to join Sam Jones, Jack Clifford and James Haskell on the long-term injury list. A surprising name touted to fill the berth is Maro Itoje. He would likely play a left/right flanker role with Robshaw, rather than as a traditional openside, but the way he is playing at the moment I would not bet against him doing a brilliant job there. Against a Wasps team that have been astonishingly good so far, Saracens nullified them at source with an uncompromising physical defensive effort. Itoje was at the centre of so much turnover ball, whether using his athleticism to disrupt the lineout, getting his arms into an attempted rolling maul, or one sublime tackle where he stripped the ball in the same movement. He will have a new challenge if he does don the seven shirt for England, but it is a measure of the player that I am more excited to see that than nervous.
Robbie Henshaw
Henshaw made his long awaited debut in a Leinster shirt this weekend, delivering an excellent performance. He demonstrated his usual physicality, but also some clever touches – putting a chip kick through for Jamison Gibson-Park’s try and even finishing up the match as fullback. He slotted seamlessly into the backline with Johnny Sexton and Garry Ringrose, and Joe Schmidt must seriously be considering this trio to start for Ireland in the Autumn tests. The 13 shirt is perhaps one of the most open contests for the Lions, but Henshaw definitely has the complete game to potentially make it his.
GOING DOWN
Nathan Hughes
It was a mouth-watering match up between Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes, but in my opinion Billy won it comfortably. Hughes was by no means bad, but he gave away several silly penalties (one early penalty lead to the lineout and maul from which Mako Vunipola scored), was shackled defensively very well (a big hit by Lozowski on him stood out), and was even ignominiously stripped of the ball in a tackle by Billy. Hughes has a lot to offer England – and potentially the Lions – and I still expect him to make his debut at some point, but right now there are too many small errors in his game for Eddie Jones to consider him.
Dan Biggar
It was a big derby game for Ospreys against Cardiff Blues so it was somewhat of a surprise to see Dan Biggar kicking his heels on the bench with young Sam Davies being given a vote of confidence and starting in his place. Ospreys’ head coach Steve Tandy publically backed Biggar (who did play well when he came on) after the match, saying ‘he’s Wales’s number one 10 and … he’ll probably be pushing for the Lions at the back end of the year’. However, if Davies keeps getting preferred to him in the 10 shirt for the big games that will get less and less likely – not least as Wales may decide to give Davies a run out themselves.
By Henry Ker
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Im very excited to see Henshaw-Ringrose 12-13 partnership this year and seeing how it performs for Leinster and (fingers crossed) Ireland.
Itoje at 7? An interesting prospect. I was thinking it could be an opportunity for Wallace to get called up to the squad, but nothing has been mentioned of any more replacements as yet. With only a few weeks to go until the AI’s start, surely Eddie is going to have to throw a few names in the hat? With no Haskell, Clifford, Jones or Williams to fill the 7 shirt, he needs to get someone else in there.
Assuming Yarde and Roko start for England on the wings with Daly as cover and JJ moves out to the wing if needed?
I know – Itoje at 7 is certainly not what I was expecting! At 6 maybe. With Wallace – Jones seems to have decided that none of the ‘fetcher’ style sevens are up to standard for the team, which I guess rules him out, alongside Kvesic. Likely a shoot out between Harrison and Itoje at this stage
Calum Clark is the only other destructive defence style back row I can think of, although he is only just back from long term injury and looked off the pace at the weekend. Or Don Armand of the Chiefs? Went on the Saxons tour.
Agree Yarde and Roko on the wings – maybe May could get a look in if he gets up to speed quickly? Id be interested to see who he calls up as injury replacements – fingers crossed for Wade.
I think Clark has probably had his day for England, but Armand is definitely a good call. I think for Eddie the main thing is to get the best players on the pitch first and that will probably mean Itoje will play somewhere and with so much choice at lock I think Itoje will start in the back row.
Week in week out he seems to play at a level well above most other players. His ability at the breakdown would actually make him quite good as a 7. He’s not your traditional style 7 to look at but he certainly has the belief and ability to play there.
Good emergency opportunity to look at Underhill in an England shirt maybe!
Guy Thompson really should be getting a look in given his form at the start of the season – or is he injurewd as well? Thinking about it he didn’t play v Sarries did he?
Don Armand is a good call
As for Itoje – I don’t think it would be an openside/blindside kind of situation were he to play with Robshaw. More of a leftside/rightside affair. It’s wahtthey did vs Aus when Harrison got hooked and it went ok then
‘Course, EJ could try Harrison again.
Thomson didn’t play against Sarries. It was Johnson and Young in the back row, then Reider came on and got burgled by Itoje.
Thanks Dazza. Do you know if Thompson is injured or was it a rotation thing?
Guy Thompson is a good shout – but I think he has a groin strain. Hopefully not long term. I was expecting him over Jones to be called up, but apparently EJ’s thinking was Thomson is 29 so unlikely to get much better, whereas Jones was 24 so has potential.
Would be happy to see him given a go. Definitely fits the bill.
Watching Quins play Stade last night, Sky mentioned a rather interesting stat – apparently to date Itoje and Robshaw have the most turnovers in the Premiership.
Given that, I would not be at all suprised to see Eddie Jones play them on the flanks
The Quins game had some good tries even if Stade weren’t exactly at their best.
Of the England qualified lot, Yarde did well apart from one godawful kick that led directly to a try. Brown looks back to almost his old self- his support and pass for Visser’s try was excellent. Marchant still hasn’t really made his mark at this level. Marler had a good game in defence and at the scrum. Robshaw was superb, making turnovers and passing beautifully to create opportunities; he really does have a great pass. James Chisholm looks like he’s growing into his frame and could well be one to watch in the future
England have another injury crisis in the seven shirt’, but why. Can’t they just pull out any old No. 6 from the ‘toughest club comp in the world’ (ho hum), which seems to have been their policy for yrs now?
When did they last play a proper open side? Peter Winterbottem, or was it Neil Back?
And as for poor old Matt Kvesic, he must wonder if his playing days are over altogether! Never got a look. Talk about favourites. Just ask Danny Cip… or more to the point, Steffon Armitage.
There’s been a fair bit of talk about clifford (no not Max, he’s otherwise engaged) @ 7 too, even though he’s never played there (or hardly anywhere) for England! Eh?
And now the nxt big thing (in club rugger at least), Itoje. Why not sticking plaster him on to the open side? Why not indeed? Even though EJ reckoned Robshaw was a 6 & a 1/2 at best (before he, EJ, got the job), he then replaced ‘salt of the earth’ Robbo (with you couldn’t make this up could you?), but yes, you’ve guessed it, with another 6 & a 1/2, Haskell! So why not a lock as well?
But then, alas Haskell went & broke his toe. Now, what with the Eddie’s judo club, they’re all dropping like flies.
Well, I suppose David Haye could at least be drafted in as 7 cover, I suppose. After all he MUST qualify on the strength of his prev broken toe, surely?
If England had had any forthought, they’ed have gone for a proper open side & at least ROTATED him/them with the improper opens to pre-empt this sort of ‘crisis’.
Who else operates such a policy at Int’al level? The game’s moved ON, not backwards. Someone please tell Eddie! Then again, maybe not.
Clifford has played mainly at 7 for England even though he can play across the backrow
Robshaw and Clifford are favorites for the 7 shirt but Itoje is certainly capable of filling the role as he has the requisite skill set.
You quip about Eddie playing another 6.5 but Haskell has excelled at the role. The big hype about fetcher sevens has died down now that Australia are getting pumped (you really need to keep up with the times)
Anyone fancy Addison from Sale as a dark horse? Playing well at the moment.
I’m hoping Eastmond gets a decent run out this weekend and shows what he can do, it looks like he has filled out at Wasps and has improved his defence. If he can show his attacking range he might be another to get a look in with the raft of injuries
Jones needs to speak to the RFU and get Underhill released from Bridgend. ‘Extraordinary circumstances’ clause anyone?