Following the conclusion of round three of the PREM Rugby season, here is our take on the key winners and losers from an England perspective.
Winners
Big boppers
The performances of big boppers Maro Itoje, Alex Coles, George Martin and Ben Bamber have certainly left them in the winners’ column this weekend, and could present Steve Borthwick with a different picture within his back-five.
Itoje’s shift to the back-row seemed to free him up a touch to float around the fringes of play, where he could then inject himself into the breakdown battle and make himself a real nuisance. In turn, that saw him have a huge impact against Bristol Bears and later being named Player of the Match for his efforts. This could certainly flag something for Borthwick, too, with England looking at using their blindside flanker spot in a slightly different way to this time last year, wanting that sort of lock-flanker hybrid player to add lineout stability as well as a bit of bulk and balance to the back-row.
While Coles was cemented in the locks this weekend, his shift out to the wide forward role for Northampton could also give Borthwick a nice idea for November. Coles just seemed to relish the extra freedom he got in that role out wide, posting 67 metres from 1o carries as well as a try and an assist along the way, and that could add a really interesting dynamic to England’s attack if done correctly. He also backed that up with some impressive defensive work, which is a lock’s bread and butter.
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Fellow forwards Martin and Bamber also displayed real defensive grit and punch in the contact, and again just shows Borthwick what he could have with either of them in the side. Bamber also ran a strong set-piece, which is a big tick in his box too.
Young guns
England are not short of up-and-coming talent, but bolters continue to emerge out of the woodwork this season with Jack Bracken, Kepu Tuipulotu, Arthur Green, James Pater and Nathan Jibulu all catching the eye.
In isolation, they all impressed for very different reasons: Bracken’s speed and clever reading of the game on both sides of the ball made him a point of difference in Saracens’ win over Bristol, where he also got himself a try. Tuipulotu’s raw power and pace saw him become an increasing part of Bath’s attack at Franklin’s Gardens, notably making a break to send Green through. The number eight was arguably the best back-rower on a pitch that contained Test-capped men Henry Pollock, Josh Bayliss, Josh Kemeny, Callum Chick and Ted Hill. Pater looked so comfortable in the full-back role for Northampton, and seems to relish that spot as the extra playmaker in back-field. Jibulu also continued his red-hot form with a strong display against Harlequins, backing up his big efforts in the loose with nuts-and-bolts stuff at the set-piece once more.
This is also not the first time these players have made themselves noticed, but rather a continuation of strong form. It will, of course, be a huge step up for them if they were to get into the Test squad, but they are doing the business in the PREM and that’s all they can do.
X-factor wingers
It was a good weekend for England’s winger stocks, too, with Ollie Sleightholme and Noah Caluori both making their mark. Northampton man Sleightholme came into the new season with a point to prove after an injury-hit season last time out, but it seems he’s even better than ever based on that showing against Bath. Things always seemed to happen when he got hold of the ball, blending pace on the outside with raw power and strength through the middle, and that played a major part in Saints’ runaway victory. He also got himself a deserved hat-trick along the way.
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Fellow winger Caluori also came into the new season with something to prove after his breakout year at senior level, but looked just as impressive in his first game back following off-season surgery. His work in the air yet again stood out, with him bossing proceedings in that department, but he also backed that up with some lovely boots-on-the-ground work and got himself over for a nice try in the process.
England’s wing spots are in a decent spot, but the performances of these two this weekend should leave Borthwick beaming.
Prop stars
England’s front-row is already in a decent place, but the displays of Archie van der Flier, Joe Heyes and Josh Iosefa-Scott would have also pleased the head coach no end. The role of the prop is certainly changing right now, and all three players ticked that box this weekend with some powerful efforts in the loose as well as dominating in the scrum.
While Heyes’ spot is virtually set in stone, either in the run-on group or off the bench, for November, the way Van der Flier and Iosefa-Scott went about their work this weekend could prompt Borthwick to get on the phone ahead of the Nations Championship Tests and once again look to extend the depth chart in this position. Both players have been in the picture before, too, featuring for England A at various points across the past few years and Van der Flier was also drafted into the senior squad before the summer tour, so they’re not strangers to the environment.
Losers
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Borthwick is once again sweating over the fitness of star winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with the Exeter Chiefs ace going off with a hamstring injury in their win over Newcastle Red Bulls.
“He feels like he’s overloaded his hamstring a little bit; I don’t think it’s catastrophic or been a proper twang,” Chiefs director of rugby, Rob Baxter, explained.
“He carried on after he first reported it; he did a kick-chase, came up with the ball at full speed and chased back, but he just doesn’t feel right. I expect that’ll get scanned and we’ll assess it over the week.
“I would say it’s more of a concern than a long-term worry.”
While the displays of the aforementioned wingers and the fact that Baxter is hopeful it won’t be a lengthy lay-off will soften the blow a touch, it comes after a frustrating couple of years on the injury front for the winger.
Arthur Clark
Another slight injury concern for Borthwick this weekend, with the towering lock withdrawing from Gloucester’s squad through a back spasm. Again, this appears to be only a slight issue rather than a long-term concern, but it will worry the England boss with Clark now a regular in his extended training squad.