A favourite emerges to usurp Ben Youngs' hold on the England No9 jersey
Ben Spencer has emerged as a popular choice to earn a recall to Eddie Jones’ England squad next month following his move to Bath. The scrum-half left Saracens during rugby’s mid-season hiatus and has been a catalyst for his new side’s surge up the Gallagher Premiership table.
The 28-year-old’s kicking game has never been questioned throughout his career, and it was one of the factors as to why he was so successful at Saracens. But whether it is the stylistic change that has come with moving to Bath that has highlighted other strengths in his game, or that he is no longer competing with Richard Wigglesworth to start, Spencer has become the form No9 in England.
His performance against Sale Sharks at the weekend only increased his stock. His two tries were a consequence of being in the right place, but his overall game management is what is setting him apart. When also considering the deft touches like the kick to set up Jonathan Joseph’s try at the AJ Bell, it is growing hard for Jones to ignore him ahead of the international fixtures this autumn.
Few players have made such an impressive return to rugby and staked a better claim for a Test call up this season, and Spencer now appears to be a popular option among England fans.
The England head coach has favoured Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz over the past year, only handing Spencer and Dan Robson transient opportunities to prove their worth in white. But the latter two are undoubtedly playing the best rugby out of Jones’ options, while also being younger than the former two. Robson has also been part of a post-lockdown resurgence at Wasps, who sit in second place in the league, one point above Bath.
Spencer only has four England caps, the last of which came in the Rugby World Cup final last year where he was called up to the squad in the final week, but he may add to them over the next few months.
Ben Spencer is an incredible addition for Bath. He is an orchestra conductor who perfectly leads his troop. The best scrum-half in England right now
— Niccolo Mezzine (@Lbiji13) September 13, 2020
Dan Robson or Ben Spencer to start for England this Autumn?
Spencer for me. Youngs shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad.
— Robert Jameston (@RobertJTAC) September 13, 2020
Quick note on Ben Spencer too while we're here.. Seems to have given Bath an all mighty lift. Has to be somewhere on Eddie's call sheet, surely. Some player.
— Tristan Portingale (@TristPortingale) September 13, 2020
Spencer has elevated Bath. England need him on a regular basis
— Spencer Lane (@SpencerLane111) September 13, 2020
Spencer must be getting close to being England’s starting 9. England’s biggest weakness is at 9 due to players like Youngs being inconsistent at the international level…one game brilliant the next meh
— Cllr John Potter ???????????? (@johnpotterLD) September 13, 2020
Ben Spencer needs to start for England!
— Ferg's Rugby Posts (@FergsRugbyPosts) September 14, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
26 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments