The law firm of Earl, Smith and Lawrence is open for business, England
Whilst the headlines around English rugby focused on the looming Test against Wales and the possibility that the national side’s game against Italy could be called off or postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the law firm of Earl, Smith and Lawrence were busy preparing a case for England in the Gallagher Premiership.
On an exciting Saturday of domestic rugby, where Harlequins pipped high-fliers Exeter Chiefs at the Stoop, Saracens came away from Franklin’s Gardens with bragging rights over Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers defeated Worcester Warriors in what, in any other season, would have been a compelling relegation battle, the trio of Ben Earl, Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence all put down significant markers.
All three are talented young players who have their best years ahead of them and all three are seemingly on a pathway to plenty of senior England caps in the coming seasons. Both Smith and Lawrence have been identified by head coach Eddie Jones and have been involved in multiple England squads and/or training camps as apprentices, whilst Earl recently won his first two international caps, debuting against Scotland from the bench before playing a similar role against Ireland at Twickenham over a week ago.
Having been released by England for club duty this weekend, Earl was a leader by example for a Saracens pack bereft of Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Jamie George and the Vunipola brothers. Even amongst a Rugby World Cup winner like Vincent Koch, a seasoned international like Will Skelton and a player that has exemplified everything that Saracens are about for a decade now in Jackson Wray, the 22-year-old Earl was the focal point of everything positive about Saracens’ pack.
His x-factor with the ball in hand is what separates him from the rest of England’s exciting young back row contingent, such as Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, and he displayed that ability to get his team moving forward on Saturday. He’s not a physical mauler or a slight will-o’-the-wisp who is going to ghost through holes that aren’t there, but his combination of size, speed and, most importantly, footwork, allow him to generate a power that few of England’s other options can match.
Continue reading below…
Watch: New Zealand Rugby weighing up investment options
In fairness to Exeter’s Sam Simmonds, he had an impressive outing in south-west London just a stone’s throw from Twickenham stadium at the same time, whilst Zach Mercer has displayed his undeniable talents recently since coming back from injury. Both players have their own, very valid, claims on a spot in England’s back row, but it seems as though Earl is currently the favoured man in Jones’ eyes.
That could be down to the defensive aggression and decision-making that Earl also brings to the table, something which was encapsulated in his intercept try against Northampton. It’s a hallmark of Saracens forwards and salary cap scandal or no salary cap scandal, those off-field indiscretions have no bearing on the likes of Earl, Nick Isiekwe and Joel Kpoku continuing to show those qualities and push themselves into England contention.
Speaking of Simmonds’ showing at the Stoop, it was the ability of Harlequins’ Smith to unlock defences, manage the game and keep the scoreboard ticking over that really stole the show. After having burst on to the scene as an exceptionally talented 18-year-old fresh out of school, it seems like attention on Smith has quietly dwindled, yet the playmaker is showing impressive maturation and rounding out the areas of his game that may have come in for criticism previously.
"Children copy their heroes, it’s as simple as that." #SixNations pic.twitter.com/SZoyO2WzgC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 29, 2020
Harking back to those will-o’-the-wisp type ball-carriers, that is exactly what Smith is. The 21-year-old has footwork that would make the soon-to-be NFL running backs doing the ‘Duce Staley drill’ at the Combine nod their heads in admiration, and he has the ability to move quickly through the gears to turn those manufactured creases in a defensive line into gaping chasms. He has rapidly become one of the most reliable goal-kickers in the Premiership, too, whilst he is less and less guilty of overplaying his hand, something which afflicted him a couple of seasons ago, and instead lets the game come to him.
The persistent criticism fans seem to have of Smith is that defensively he has his flaws. There’s certainly some truth to that when he goes high on a ball-carrier and his smaller frame is put in a position where he is rarely going to win, however his execution when going low and chopping a ball-carrier down at the knees or the ankles is impressive. George Ford’s defence, or more specifically his decision-making in the tackle in particular, has improved notably of late and there’s no reason why Smith’s wouldn’t also prosper in that environment.
Finally, we come to Lawrence of Worcester, who put in a busy and eye-catching performance in his side’s loss to Leicester at Welford Road. In an age of midfield ball-handlers and guys that can stand up a defender and burn him on the outside, English rugby has encountered a dwindling pool of centres who can plant a foot in the ground, target a weak inside shoulder and break the gain-line. In addition to an array of other skills, that’s the increasingly rare ability that Lawrence can bring.
Quality read – Alex Shaw sits down with Ollie Lawrence to discuss his exceptional career so far. https://t.co/9tLPYxi3Lb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 28, 2018
England with and without Manu Tuilagi are two very different sides and there is no like-for-like replacement for the Tiger in the current England squad. In reality, there’s no like-for-like replacement for him in English rugby currently, either, such are the unique traits he brings, though Lawrence potentially could provide that same sort of role in the midfield. He’ll never be as physical as Tuilagi, though with his quick footwork and instincts for gaps in defences, he can replicate the incisiveness of the veteran centre, albeit in his own way.
The 20-year-old is mobile, with the lateral speed to recover in defence, as well as boasting evolving distribution skills. That said, he’s not going to surpass Henry Slade as a passer, or necessarily Joe Marchant and Jonathan Joseph as a man who can gas his opposite number on the outside, it’s in his physicality and violence as a runner where he creates his own niche within English rugby.
For all three of these young talents, the persistent theme across their respective skillsets is their outstanding footwork. The rugby media are guilty of losing their heads over size and speed, but it’s the footwork that transfers those factors into the power that is generated on the pitch, and power inevitably leads to dynamism.
You may never have heard of it, but SLAR is potentially a hotbed of player recruitment for professional clubs in Europe.
– explains @alexshawsport ???#SLAR https://t.co/zjgwtNgb82
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 26, 2020
Generally, the more dynamic a team is, the more successful they are, and you need look no further than the current Guinness Six Nations and the recent Rugby World Cup knockout rounds to see the truth of that. If you can pick players that give you that point of difference, the other areas of their game can be worked on as they go.
Based on Saturday’s games, in addition to what they have done in the recent weeks and months, Earl has done nothing to harm his chances of further international caps against Wales and Italy, whilst Smith and Lawrence must surely be firmly in Jones’ plans for the summer tour of Japan.
As physical freaks and players with athletic points of difference have come to dominate the sport, the law firm of Earl, Smith and Lawrence is not only open for business, it’s ready to go to court.
Watch: CVC close to another major rugby investment
Comments on RugbyPass
I remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh 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?
3 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!
3 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.
8 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 comments