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Last thing Eddie Jones needed was Dombrandt winning an award on same day he was ignored by England

Alex Donbrandt (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)

That reaction after Harlequins No8 Alex Dombrandt was named the Gallagher Premiership player of the month on Wednesday has been unsurprising. 

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The 22-year-old was in rampant form throughout January – and indeed the past year – at the back of Harlequins scrum, and this latest award has only fanned the flames of the campaign for him to play for England. 

The No8 made the most line breaks of any player across Europe in January, while also making the most metres of any forward in the Premiership (via OptaJonny), but he has shown this kind of form all season. 

However, to the bemusement of the majority of England fans, Eddie Jones has not selected a No8 this Six Nations in the absence of the injured Billy Vunipola. 

He has instead chosen to fashion flanker Tom Curry into a No8, which has not been wholly accepted. This is not only because the Sale Sharks youngster is a world-class flanker, but there are many talented No8s at Jones’ disposal in great form. 

Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Simmonds is another player that has also been overlooked to the dismay of many. 

Jones has named his 25-man squad for training this week ahead of the contest against Ireland the following weekend, and he has still opted for a back row devoid of a specialist No8.

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The Australian has his reasons for doing this, and many of his controversial calls have paid off in the past, but Dombrandt’s form means it is growing increasingly difficult for Jones to justify omitting him. This latest award will only increase the pressure.  

https://twitter.com/Slackylc/status/1227613984121118721?s=20

The Harlequins forward did play against the Barbarians last year for England, catching the eye of many fans in that performance, and was part of the World Cup training squad. However, he has not been part of Jones’ plans since then with the coach citing his workrate as a reason for this.

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But as the surging No8 continues to terrorise defences in England, the argument that he should be playing for his country becomes more compelling. 

WATCH: The Rugby Pod reflects on round two of the Guinness Six Nations

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Tom 3 hours ago
How the England firm of 'Smith & Smith' toppled France

France played badly, England were much improved. If we can back it up then I'll get excited... But as you say France "should" have won. Although England were the better side in the second half and it's been a long time since England's second half performance was better than the opposition.


There were a few performances to make me optimistic:


Tom Curry - looks back to his best, between him and Underhill we have two exceptional flankers


Ben Earl - also looks to be getting back into some form, carried well


Tom Willis - gave more balance to the back row, finally we've found a proper test level number 8


Ollie Chessum - always been a skilled backrower and great lineout option but he looked much more physical and got really stuck in


Fin Smith - first half display was a struggle due to lack of experience as Borthwick has given him no opportunities, but he was so composed in the second half and made so many good calls with a balanced range of kicking passing and taking it to the line.


Henry Slade - he's struggled in a team playing a reductive gameplan but demonstrated that he's a classy operator in a team prepared to move the ball


All in all I really hope England gain some confidence and back themselves in the next match with ball in hand. I'm so sick of seeing the sort of wasteful grubber kicks that Lawrence put in which England have used far too much and with a total combined net meterage gain in the last few years of minus 1 million meters.

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LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'England are back in the fight, no longer the object of scorn.' Mick Cleary: 'England are back in the fight, no longer the object of scorn.'
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