The three apprentices Eddie Jones must name in his Six Nations squad
The concept of selecting apprentices is nothing new in international rugby, although it is also fair to say that it is something which has come back en vogue in the northern hemisphere following the hiring of Eddie Jones as England head coach.
In 2017, Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith and Bath No8 Zach Mercer were included as apprentices in a senior England squad before wing Gabriel Ibitoye and back row Sam Moore took up similar roles in 2018.
The bug is spreading, too, as new Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named four ‘development players’ in his Guinness Six Nations squad with Leinster trio Ryan Baird, Harry Byrne and Will Connors, along with Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune, all making the cut.
Wayne Pivac’s Wales and Gregor Townsend’s Scotland both resisted the temptation to do likewise, while Italy and France have both named youthful squads, albeit without specific apprentices.
England are the only Six Nations side yet to name their squad, with Jones set to confirm his selection on Monday. With the group that made it to the World Cup final relatively young and very few players of an age that would preclude them from the 2023 tournament, Jones is not expected to make dramatic changes to his side.
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Northampton Saints full-back George Furbank is in the conversation, as are Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt and Saracens’ Ben Spencer, although all three are established senior players and would not qualify as apprentices. With all three having significant club responsibilities, their inclusion as apprentices would be wasteful and do nothing to enhance club-country relations.
That said, there are a lot of suitable candidates for apprenticeships out there, players with the talent and natural ability to one day be England regulars, as well as a lack of opportunities at the senior level at their current club so as not to make the experience an ineffective use of their time.
One such player would be Leicester Tigers’ Freddie Steward, with the full-back already earning sporadic appearances at the senior level for the East Midlands club, despite only leaving school last summer.
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At 6ft 5ins, Steward has the perfect frame to be the sort of rangy and aerially adept full-back that is coveted in the modern game, while his long stride length allows him to eat up ground quickly and turn half-breaks into big gains. A booming boot, comfortable with the ball in hand and able to deliver accurate and physical tackles as the last line of defence, the 19-year-old is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Mike Brown’s time with England looks to be over, Alex Goode has never been a favourite of Jones and though Furbank is playing well, the competition to Elliot Daly seems to be few and far between, particularly with Jones rarely opting to use Anthony Watson or Jack Nowell in that role. A glimpse into this environment could be very fruitful for Steward.
Another player in a similar boat to Steward is Sale Sharks’ Raffi Quirke. If he continues developing, the scrum-half is faced with potential opportunity at the senior international level where competition, at least in Jones’ eyes, is slim for incumbent Ben Youngs.
We would be generous if we said the Welsh enjoy a wholly cordial rivalry with their rivals over the border, but they have in truth much to thank their England neighbours for this week, writes @OwainJTJoneshttps://t.co/4I2rN9XYye
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At 32 years of age, Willi Heinz is unlikely to be in the mix at the next World Cup, leaving Ben Spencer, Dan Robson and Jack Maunder as the only realistic options that Jones has experimented with during his tenure. Robson has never really been given a shot and Maunder has fallen away, at least in England terms, since bursting onto the scene as a 20-year-old, leaving Spencer as the likely frontrunner.
Jones would not have a player ready for international rugby in Quirke, although he would have a gifted nine whose passing, ability to attack the fringes, tempo and game management all stack up very nicely for a player so fresh out of school. An understanding of the international environment and what is expected of players at that level would be beneficial for Quirke, especially with limited chances to appear for Sale during the international window.
The third and final apprentice we would put forward is London Irish’s Chunya Munga, with the lock having been a head-scratching omission from the England under-20s side that was named recently. Lock is rarely talked about as a position of change or renewal for England and understandably so given the quartet of Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury, although by the end of February Lawes will be 31 and Kruis will be 30.
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The Scotlands coach has hit out at the scheduling of Saracens’ Gallagher Premiership clash with Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop just six days before the Scots kick-off their championships against Ireland in Dublin on February 1.
Throw into the mix that the latter is rumoured to be off to Japan and thus become ineligible for England selection, it wouldn’t hurt to have one or two more irons in the fire. Munga is a skilful lineout forward for his age, has prototypical size for the position and is developing into a player who can be a force in the loose as well as at the set-piece.
The under-20s are carrying just two out-and-out locks in George Martin and Hugh Tizard, instead opting for back row who can also play the position, such as Richard Capstick. The chance to work with Steve Borthwick and Matt Proudfoot would be valuable to Munga, who could become a very important player for Irish in the coming seasons.
Other names worthy of mention include Alfie Barbeary, Max Ojomoh and Josh Gillespie. Barbeary has been dealing with injury issues of late and consistent games in the under-20 Six Nations may be more important for the hooker as he bids to return to full fitness, as he will be looking to make an impact with the Wasps senior side in the second half of the season.
'His unchallenged message is that his squad is dynamic, powerful and aggressive with a lot of skill and speed, a nice soundbite if rah-rah soundbites are your thing twelve-and-a-half weeks on from World Cup crucifixion by the All Blacks,' writes @heagneyl
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Centre Ojomoh is arguably too valuable to the under-20s to let him out of camp, with new under-20s head coach Alan Dickens having selected plenty of fly-halves and full-backs but very few genuine ball-carrying centres. If Ojomoh were removed from the squad, Sale’s Connor Doherty would be the only midfielder of that type in the age-grade side.
Finally, we come to versatile Northampton back Gillespie, who sits behind Ollie Sleightholme in both the Saints and England under-20s pecking orders, although he boasts an impressively high ceiling wherever in the backline that may ultimately see him positioned. With England’s wing options falling into a largely favourable age profile, his introduction into that environment is arguably not as vital as those of Steward, Quirke and Munga, though.
The concept of apprentices doesn’t sit well with everyone, although with this trio unlikely to be involved in senior rugby at their club sides over the Six Nations period, time in a testing and new environment should only be a positive move for them.
For Steward, Quirke and Munga, this could be a big step on their pathways to achieving as much as they possibly can in professional rugby.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry 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.
1 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.
2 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 commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments