3 England XV Players that should go to Japan
Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt has had an excellent debut season in professional rugby
©PA
After the England XVs 51-43 win over the Barbarians, Talking Rugby Union’s Joe Harvey picked three players that he thought could get into Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad after being in attendance at Twickenham.
Alex Dombrandt - Harlequins
It feels like at every opportunity we praise Dombrandt for his exceptional rise from the university game.
Combative and abrasive, Dombrandt really held his own against opponents with higher international honours.
Scoring two tries of his own, the Harlequins flanker really does deserve an opportunity in Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad this autumn. Playing both at blindside and number eight, Dombrandt quite simply plays without fear.
Breaking tackles with ease and regularly finding his way over the try line, the former Welsh U20 international has definitely had a better domestic season than secondary England eight Nathan Hughes.
Joe Marchant - Harlequins
Marchant had a very underreported season, in which the young centre scored 11 tries, and it is difficult to believe that the 22-year-old still doesn’t have a full England cap. Involved with England camps for virtually the entirety of his senior career, Marchant has what it takes to perform well in Japan.
Marchant’s performances have grown year on year, making it even more perplexing as to why the centre hasn’t taken the next step. Definitely in line to be involved after the World Cup in Japan, Marchant has what it takes to perform at international level.
Certainly fitting the mould of past England teams, a pacey outside centre that defends very well, there is certainly a place for Marchant in this World Cup squad where he can potentially add depth to the squad, as well as an exciting attacking option for Eddie Jones to choose from.
Alex Mitchell – Northampton Saints
Mitchell is potentially the biggest outsider on this list. Recently having turned 22, Mitchell was simply superb at Twickenham on Sunday. What was particularly impressive was that Mitchell displayed a game that was so much more than regular scrum-half play.
Understandably overshadowed by the electric Cobus Reinach, Mitchell showed on Sunday afternoon that he could quite easily be a starter at each Premiership club. With a very good kicking game, reading of play and running some great lines, it was a shame that the former Sale Academy player had his afternoon cut short by injury.
There was no doubt that the Northampton man was the leading light in England’s first half performance and with so many injuries to scrum-halves, Eddie Jones could do a lot worse than including Mitchell in his World Cup squad.
