A North vs South trial in English rugby?
The Covid-19 outbreak has taken from rugby far more than it has given, but one of the few positives to come out of the pandemic has been the arranging of two “north vs south” trial matches in New Zealand and South Africa.
Trial matches were a regular occurrence in the sport’s amateur days, though since the inception of professionalism and the burgeoning and ever increasing fixture schedule that modern day rugby players have to endure, they have largely become forgotten, outside of a few isolated incidents.
In New Zealand, this will pitch the best of the north island against the best of its southern counterpart, whilst in South Africa, the pick of the coastal sides, the Stormers and Sharks, will take on a selection from their inland rivals, the Lions and Bulls. They should prove valuable exercises for both Ian Foster and Rassie Erasmus, with the domestic seasons in both countries heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Given that the Gallagher Premiership is desperately scrambling to finish up the 2019/20 season, with plans to play seven rounds of fixtures in just four weeks, there is no chance of a similar fixture being played in English rugby anytime soon.
That said, what would a trial match look like in England, if it were to go ahead? We have split the country along the M4 and M25, with Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears, Bath, London Irish, Harlequins and Saracens making up the southern contingent, whilst Gloucester, Wasps, Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks make up a rather spacious northern region.
Keeping true to the spirit of a trial, we have limited the players available to those with five caps or fewer for England, with head coach Eddie Jones already well aware of what the players with more appearances for him have to offer.
South
Up front, you could well be looking at an all-Bath front row, with Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Will Stuart providing a particularly effective combination at the set-piece and in the loose. Ralph Adams-Hale and Marcus Street are two young props who have flashed their ability, whilst Will Capon and Harry Thacker are a handful of a one-two punch at Bristol.
There is less competition at second row, although a pairing of Exeter’s Jonny Hill and Saracens’ Joel Kpoku would be exciting to watch, and the duo of Zach Mercer and Ben Earl would be difficult to displace at No 8 and openside flanker respectively. There is no lack of options at blindside, though, where Tom Ellis, Dave Ewers, Richard Capstick, Jackson Wray, Alex Dombrandt and James Chisholm would all go head-to-head. Good luck picking a standout candidate from that group.
Ben Spencer would be the obvious choice at scrum-half, though both Jack Maunder and Harry Randall would seem to be dogging his footsteps with their impressive club form. At fly-half, the competition rages between Harlequins star Marcus Smith, Exeter’s composed Sam Simmonds and the surging Callum Sheedy at Bristol. The southern contingent of teams certainly have plenty of talent to pick from in the half-backs.
The midfield riches are not quite as free-flowing, with gifted options, albeit many of whom do not have too much Premiership experience. The Bath pairing of Max Ojomoh and Cameron Redpath are 12s with plenty of potential, whilst one or even both of them could yet find themselves at 13 in the long-term. Harlequins’ Joe Marchant is surely inked into the XV given his play over the last 12 months or so, though Bristol’s Piers O’Conor could and should push him hard for the spot.
Finally, we come to the back three, an area where the southern side is arguably more well-stocked than at any other position. A fit Nathan Earle would likely head the pack and be joined at full-back by one of Max Malins, Josh Hodge or Tom Parton. This leaves a vacant wing spot to be fought over by Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Gabriel Ibitoye, Cadan Murley, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Rotimi Segun, with London Irish’s Ben Loader perhaps just pipping them all to the spot as currently stands.
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 11, 2020
South XV
Beno Obano (Bath), Tom Dunn (Bath), Will Stuart (Bath)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Zach Mercer (Bath), Ben Earl (Bristol Bears)
Ben Spencer (Bath), Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Cameron Redpath (Bath), Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
Ben Loader (London Irish), Max Malins (Bristol Bears), Nathan Earle (Harlequins)
Replacements – Harry Thacker (Bristol Bears), Ralph Adams-Hale (Saracens), Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), Elliott Stooke (Bath), Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
“You miss having a roll and square sausage, having an Indian or a Chinese, just daft things but still home comforts”
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 11, 2020
North
With seven of the last nine Premiership campaigns won by a team in what we have dubbed the south, it is understandable that the six teams in the north might struggle to match up to their rivals at certain positions.
Loosehead looks to be a shootout between Val Rapava-Ruskin and Ross Harrison, whilst Joe Heyes and Ehren Painter, two players with exceptional talent, will be jostling it out at tighthead. At hooker, the prodigiously gifted Alfie Barbeary could well be given his opportunity to progress and begin to challenge the likes of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George.
Options are more abundant in the second row, however, with Ed Slater and Calum Green two players who have been unlucky to miss out on caps in the past, whilst Northampton has become a Mecca for swiftly-rising locks. Nick Isiekwe has joined the East Midlands side on loan and will be taking his place alongside Alex Coles, Alex Moon and David Ribbans in what is a deep and talented group.
In the back row, Teimana Harrison and Matt Kvesic have played roles for England previously, Ted Hill would be keen to add to his solitary international cap to date and Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann has now qualified through residency. They will face off against the Willis brothers, Jack and Tom, at Wasps, as well as Sale Sharks’ exceptional openside, Ben Curry.
Alex Mitchell and Dan Robson would contend the starting scrum-half spot, with a three-way fight between James Grayson, Jacob Umaga and Billy Searle for duties at fly-half. Like the front row, the depth of options in the half-backs arguably does not quite match up to those on offer in the south, despite some very talented players being in the mix, nevertheless.
The northern side could steal an advantage in the midfield, though, where they can call upon an array of contrasting and complementary players. The Gloucester duo of Mark Atkinson and Henry Trinder bring experience and no lack of ability, whilst Sale can call upon their own effective pairing in the form of Luke and Sam James. Ryan Mills is finally starting to get the appreciation his performances on the pitch have deserved for a number of years now and he is also joined by an exciting tandem of Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence.
In the back three, you would be hard-pressed not to go for recent England full-back George Furbank at 15, something which would keep Jason Woodward and Freddie Steward on the sidelines for the time being. Gloucester’s Ollie Thorley would have one wing locked down, leaving the spot opposite open for one of Jordan Olowofela, Ollie Sleightholme or the Wasps duo of Zach Kibirige and Marcus Watson.
How incredible would it be to have #SuperRugby (or whatever form it takes in 2021) hit the shores of Hawaii? ? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #MajorLeagueRugbyhttps://t.co/yzzxCQd4cY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 11, 2020
North XV
Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester), Alfie Barbeary (Wasps), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
Nick Isiekwe (Northampton Saints), Ed Slater (Gloucester)
Jack Willis (Wasps), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
Dan Robson (Wasps), James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester), Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors)
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
Replacements – Gabriel Oghre (Wasps), Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks), Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Jacob Umaga (Wasps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments