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'Unique skill set': 3 England rookies who may feature versus Tonga
By PA
The new England era scheduled for its launch against Tonga on Saturday has hit an early buffer after Max Malins, Louis Lynagh and Raffi Quirke were ruled out by injuries, while Marcus Smith and Freddie Steward are doubts ahead of this Thursday's team announcement.
Eddie Jones still has several exciting young prospects at his disposal, however, and here the PA news agency examines three players who are expected to be involved in the Autumn Nations Series opener at Twickenham:
ALEX DOMBRANDT
Position: Number eight
Club: Harlequins
Caps: 1
England prospect Dombrandt rivals Sam Simmonds as the most effective No8 in the Gallagher Premiership, but his skill set is unique. Runs intelligent lines in wider channels and offloads brilliantly, making him a threat in attack beyond carrying hard.
For all the subtlety to his game, he has size and power and has worked hard to improve his defence. It is a shootout between him and Tom Curry at No8 and at the least a bench role awaits.
ADAM RADWAN
Position: Wing
Club: Newcastle
Caps: 1
Widely considered the fastest player in English rugby - only Jonny May rivals him for out-and-out gas - and has set the bar high for his second cap after running in a hat-trick on his debut against Canada in July.
The son of an Egyptian father, Radwan is an elusive runner with lightning acceleration and an innate instinct for finding space and the try line. Jones has said the 23-year-old could be the best wing in the world, comparing him to South Africa’s electric Cheslin Kolbe.
GEORGE FURBANK
Position: Full-back
Club: Northampton
Caps: 4
Rated highly by Jones, Furbank is valued for his ability to operate at full-back and fly-half, although it is the 15 jersey he will fill against Tonga if Steward is ruled out. Not as powerful as Steward or as athletic as Malins, but the 25-year-old Saint offers vision and ability on the ball that provides a different type of threat.
Made a disappointing debut in difficult conditions against France in February 2020 but has rebuilt his confidence since and is seen by Jones as the type of utility player who could be invaluable to a World Cup squad.
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To be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
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