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Pearson gunning for England return as Borthwick called to make changes
Tom Pearson is hoping his man of the match performance in front of Steve Borthwick in England A’s thumping 91-5 win over Portugal in Leicester can push him closer to an England recall.
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Pearson, who moved from London Irish to Northampton Saints after the demise of the Exiles, made his Test debut against Wales last year.
He was released from the full England squad to join the A players preparing to face Portugal, and is now hoping to rejoin the senior players in the build-up to the clash with Grand Slam champions Ireland.
Head coach Borthwick will be under pressure to get selection right against the Irish with Pearson, Harry Randall and Josh Hodge amongst the players who impressed in the 15-try romp against Os Lobos.
Pearson said: “It’s always an honour to wear the Rose and play in whatever capacity and that was in the forefront of my mind. I am hoping I caught Steve’s eye and did things that he’s looking for and that he wants to see more of from me.
“Some of the guys came down [from England] at the start of the week and shifted their mindset into getting involved, getting stuck in, not hung up about not being involved against Scotland. So, having that next job kind of mentality and just making sure you come in and contribute to the environment and put in a performance against Portugal, myself included. There’s a fallow week next week so, hopefully, I get to rejoin the squad.
“I really saw the lineout as a bit of a challenge to be honest and something different – hopefully it can become a strength of mine and help teams I play for. It’s something I’ve never done before at this level, but it’s coming along and is something I need to work on. I am pretty comfortable with where I am. I think Charlie Ewels is a great leader and great organiser and it’s good to have experienced team members around me.
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“The system we ran was based on forwards holding the edge to try and spread them a little bit offensively. A couple of times I found myself in a bit of space and I was able to work as the extra man which was nice.
“Considering we had only been together a matter of days I think it is a real bonus of being in a programme like this that people are gaining experience coming into an England team set-up for the first time. They might have never played with that person before and now these guys are building relationships, and connections and having different combinations.
“Rands [Harry Randall] and Charlie Atkinson have probably have never played before and they formed their relationship this week. I think being in an A programme brings together partnerships like that, and that can develop when they play together or further down the line. They’ve already got a mutual understanding of how each other plays.”
Comments on RugbyPass
An inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
3 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
1 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
3 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to comments