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Teammate and former England player backs Thacker to wear the rose
By Josh Raisey
After playing a key part in Bristol Bears’ pulsating 27-27 draw with London Irish on Sunday, Harry Thacker’s credentials for a possible call-up to the national team have only been boosted.
The hooker’s form has mirrored his club’s this season, as they have both made terrific starts to their campaigns. He moved to Ashton Gate last season from Leicester Tigers probably in the hope of moving out of Tom Youngs’ shadow, and it is paying dividends.
Given his form, the 25-year-old must undeniably be on Eddie Jones’ radar ahead of the 2020 Six Nations. The Australian has already suggested that there may be an overhaul of his squad with the beginning of a new Rugby World Cup cycle, and Thacker may be a beneficiary.
Jamie George looks likely to retain the number two jersey for England, and with Luke Cowan-Dicke and Jack Singleton also vying for a place in the national squad, it will not be easy for the Bristol man, even with the recent retirement of Dylan Hartley.
In light of his performance against London Irish, whereby he beat nine defenders, scored a try and got an assist, Thacker’s teammate and former England international Jordan Crane has suggested that the hooker is given his chance with England.
Capable of playing as a loose forward, Thacker showed how dangerous he is in the wider channels of the field against Irish, however, the crucial stat is that he had a 100 percent lineout success.
Regardless of how flamboyant a hooker may be in the loose, the priority and the most fundamental requirement is that they are solid in the set-piece. Without a dependable lineout, no team can expect to thrive and no hooker can expect to rise to the top of the game. This was the quality that made Hartley so dependable and trusted for England, and this is therefore the stat that gives the most promise for Thacker, although he will need to back it up consistently.
With Pat Lam’s side now sitting in second place in the league, a few of his players will hope for calls to the England squad in the New Year, and Thacker is one of the main candidates.
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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