Last thing Eddie Jones needed was Dombrandt winning an award on same day he was ignored by England
That reaction after Harlequins No8 Alex Dombrandt was named the Gallagher Premiership player of the month on Wednesday has been unsurprising.
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.
9 – @Alex_dombrandt made the most clean breaks (9) of any @premrugby player in the league and Europe combined in January, as well as gaining the most metres of any forward (250; 3rd most overall behind Ollie Thorley and Taqele Naiyaravoro). Award. pic.twitter.com/pjcyitiVSn
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 12, 2020
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.
And of no interest to Eddie for @EnglandRugby? Just don't get it
— Sean McMorrow (@ShinyF1) February 12, 2020
Will he now get selected for England?
— Brian Gamlin (@bgammers2807) February 12, 2020
Unfortunately under the current @EnglandRugby regime that would seem to be the kiss of death to his chances of a cap.
— David Parsons (@BlackElk1) February 12, 2020
@EnglandRugby any danger of EJ picking a number 8. You know, a guy who actually plays 8. Curry is a 6; although doing a good job covering. Dombrandt deserves his shot.
— Jonny Hammond (@jonny_hammond) February 12, 2020
And still can't get a call up for the England squad ???? really Eddie?? https://t.co/sX21HZGFM1
— Matt Senior (@MattSenior84) February 12, 2020
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.
A number 8 playing the form of his life but somehow no place for him in a national team that needs one? ?
— Matthew minto (@Novos6Matt) February 12, 2020
If Eddie could design his perfect 8 it’d look something pretty similar to Dombrandt…so I’d just love to know why he won’t pick him. https://t.co/DHnebhi7Ya
— Stuart (@Slackylc) February 12, 2020
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.
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
Comments on RugbyPass
What 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 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. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 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.
4 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 commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments