War of words erupts over Alex Dombrandt's move from Cardiff to Harlequins
While Alex Dombrandt debuted for England this year and has set a goal of taking over as the nation's first-choice number 8, the multi-talented loose forward could have been lining up for Wales in a different timeline.
Dombrandt, although born in Surrey, relocated to Wales following high school where he represented Cardiff Metropolitan University in both the classroom and on the rugby pitch.
The 24-year-old was offered a contract with Cardiff Rugby during his second year of studies in 2017 but he turned down the offer and ultimately signed for Harlequins, where he's now established himself as one of the best ball-running forwards in Europe.
With Dombrandt's form reaching dizzying heights over the past month, culminating in the number 8 scoring a hattrick of tries against Northampton in the latest round of Premiership matches, many have questioned how Cardiff and Wales weren't able to hold onto a player of such obvious talents.
Some contention has now arisen on Twitter regarding the circumstances of Dombrandt's departure from Cardiff, with The Rugby Paper writer Peter Jackson suggesting that Cardiff weren't willing to sign the loose forward unless he gave up on his university studies.
Jackson wrote:
"In 2017 Cardiff Rugby offered Alex Dombrandt a contract worth around £20k on condition that he gave up studies. 'I didn't want to do that,' he told The Rugby Paper last summer. 'I'd done two years...it would have been a waste of my time to pack it all in.'
"The following year, his degree course completed, Harlequins offered Dombrandt three times as much. They love 'Dommers' at Cardiff Met as one of their own, this 'big teddy bear of a bloke' with an unhealthy appetite for cream cakes."
Unsurprisingly, Twitter users were quick to criticise Cardiff and piled on the club for their ostensibly poor decision-making.
Telling a young man to stop is studies for 20k is appalling. Do the WRU have a guidance on this. It shouldn't happen, I though player welfare and post rugby life was important?
— Dai (@Dai25841) December 28, 2021
Cardiff should be ashamed.
— Dean H David (@DEANHDAVID) December 28, 2021
Telling him to pack in his education ,that’s poor
— Darren Evans 🏴🇮🇪 (@dazz20) December 28, 2021
The likes of former Wales representatives Jonathan Davies and Andy Powell also joined in, questioning how Cardiff let Dombrandt go.
Because the scouting in wales is shit it’s who you know and it’s who you know
— Andy Powell (@andypowell8) December 27, 2021
Cardiff, however, quickly attempted to hush the discontent and suggested that many who were commenting on the matter didn't have the full picture.
While it's possible that Dombrandt did consider playing for Wales at some stage - as evidenced by his decision to play for their Under 20s side - the 24-year-old is now a long-term candidate to slow into the England backrow and could be a major player at the next Rugby World Cup.
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I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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