1
The Bristol verdict on Harry Randall, the forgotten England No9
Bristol have given their verdict on the situation that has seen Harry Randall tumble down the England selection pecking order a year after he was their starting scrum-half for the majority of their 2022 Guinness Six Nations matches. The 25-year-old was the starting No9 in three of that championship’s games, making a fourth appearance off the bench.
ADVERTISEMENT
Randall went on to be an England vice-captain versus the Barbarians but an embarrassing Twickenham defeat in that exhibition game XV had Australian tour repercussions as Eddie Jones recalled veteran Danny Care and also promoted rookie Jack van Poortvliet ahead of the Bristol half-back over the course of that trip.
He then suffered a hamstring injury in October and it wasn’t until three months later in mid-January that he recommenced his season and his sixth start in recent weeks will now take place on Friday when Bristol host Northampton in the Gallagher Premiership.
In the meantime, with England now under the baton of new head coach Steve Borthwick, van Poortvliet has become the No1 Test choice at scrum-half with Alex Mitchell providing the bench backup and record caps holder Ben Youngs out of the picture.
That situation has allowed Randall to concentrate on being the best version of himself for Bristol and director of rugby Pat Lam is delighted by what he has seen since his player’s latest comeback started with a Challenge Cup trip to Zebre.
“The big thing for him was that the injury really affected him in that (England) sense, but he is resilient and he is tough. The things we are talking about, I believe the knockbacks and setbacks he has had through injury, form or selection is what has made him this way and that is what I love when guys build resilience through adversity because it is part of life but not everyone does it and we are seeing the benefit of that for Harry.
“If you look at our last two seasons, this season and last season, it’s no coincidence last season I lost both him and Andy (Uren) at the same time for a good two months and that was pretty important, and it’s no coincidence that Harry had another big injury earlier this season and we are now winning and Harry is back.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’m not saying it’s all on Harry but what I am saying is how influential he is in our game and the biggest thing for Harry is his leadership has gone to a completely different level. He has really taken it. He has said, ‘Right, I’m going to be here’. This is his mindset. ‘I’m here for maybe three, four more years, maybe longer, I’m going to take control of a lot of things.’
“He has a great feel for the game. The good thing is he is single-minded about playing well for Bristol and leading and off the back of that, he puts himself in the frame of what Steve Borthwick has another great lot of depth at nine. He has some really good players there, so Harry has just got to continue doing it week in and week out and the rest will take care of itself.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments