Alex Dombrandt is a fickle talent, but he was brutally destroyed by France in the Six Nations. Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers
As Despite England's attempt to play down the notion that Saturday's match is the last tryout before qualifying for the World Cup, there are a handful of players who will no doubt take it that way. . And the name that stands out from the starting XV bound for Cardiff is Alex Dombrandt.
Harlequin No. 8 is a fickle talent, capable of doing things that many other forwards in English football cannot match. He was one of the first strikers approached by England manager Steve Borthwick when rebuilding the team from the ashes of the Eddie Jones regime, promoting him ahead of Billy Vunipola.
But Dombrandt's release on the international stage did not have the impact Borthwick wanted. Sure, he could get ahead with a wide shot, but in another failed Six Nations campaign, England was desperate for strikers who could push hard when the yards were heavy, especially out of scrimmage.
The dismantling of England's backline effectiveness was most painfully evident in France's 50-point defeat, when Dombrandt came under heavy fire for missing a penalty after taking a kick-off only to turn his back into contact in the face of a Frenchman's kick. chase and lie down straight on the ground.
Dombrandt must know that he is fighting for his future in England. Photo: Getty IMages/David Rogers
Further criticism ensued when he lacked urgency in chasing Gael Fic's chip, allowing Damian Peno to bridge a 10m gap to collect himself and score.
He retained his place in the final match against Ireland, but despite finishing the tournament as the English striker with the most carries and meters, Borthwick soon signaled that Vunipola would play a big part in the World Cup. Cup if he proves his fitness.
Willis leads the race for the World Cup
To make matters even more serious for Dombrandt, he now also has Tom Willis breathing down the back of his head, number 8, who may not have the same ability to gallop on a broken field, but is more than happy to roll up his sleeves when the going gets tough.< /p>
Willis may have been named to the Wales bench, but at this point in the World Cup race, he looks set to have the advantage.
That's why Saturday will be so convincing. The back three and the back row are the two remaining areas where choices remain undecided, and Borthwick all but confirmed on Thursday that the vast majority of his team had already fallen into the trap.
The battle for number eight is a defining choice that will affect the remaining back five. Dombrandt has few claims. Borthwick gave him a dream combo to play with his club's midfielders Danny Caer and Marcus Smith.
His fast-paced runs are so often fueled by either Caer or Smith and their collective ability to find space. and Dombrandt's ability to hit those lines at full speed.
Against an immature Wales side this could be the stage for England to see the best of the 26 year old. But first he must seize this opportunity.
The choice of Danny Kare and Marcus Smith could bode well for Dombrandt. Photo: Getty Images/Steve Bardens
«Alex's connection with Danny and especially with Marcus is very intuitive, they find each other,» said Borthwick. «Alex is very good at finding tickers on Marcus.
“I think in Alex's last game at Cardiff he played very well, creating that attempt from the left flank early in the game. I think he has a lot of strengths and is familiar with him having played so many games in 8th, 9th and 10th and with Joe Marchand there are players who have played many games together on this team in these weekend.
«Knowing the players around you is really important and really valuable.»
That said, while Dombrandt has every chance to thrive alongside Kahr and Smith, the most significant improvements must occur during transfer when there is little space or momentum.
«Alex and I were pretty clear and I made it clear to him what his role was and what we were looking for,» Borthwick added.
“Like I do with every player. If you ask them, and what they choose to share is completely normal — for me, Alex has a lot of strengths in his game. His ability to find space, his ability to get out of the tackle, his ability to find the ball is unique. What is rarely talked about is his tendency to jack the ball on key glitches to stop opposition momentum, which few people talk about, but he does it very, very well.”
With Willis likely to play most of the second half, Dombrandt should know that this is his last chance to qualify for the World Cup squad.
It is clear that Willis has caught Borthwick's attention as a player who can offer a similarly impressive role , like Billy Vunipola.
“I talked to Tom before Six Nations,” added Borthwick. “I have been a big fan of Tom for a long period of time. He was a really good player. I followed him during his stay in France last year. He came for one day during Six Nations — he carries the ball aggressively, wants the ball in his hands, and he did it again and again in the Top 14. When I talked to the coaches in the Top 14 they were talking about Tom Willis, tell me about Tom Willis. The coaches say this guy is an outstanding player. There is something special about him and he feels very good in the camp.”
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