Henry Arundell's hat-trick was not enough to prevent Racing 92 slipping to a 31-26 defeat at Toulon. Credit: Getty Images/Christophe Simon
When the time comes, Toulon will be glad to see the back of Henry Arundell. The England defender made his mark on the French domestic scene with a hat-trick on his debut for his new club Racing 92 in a narrow defeat on the Côte d'Azur.
The 'Prince' of Maillol at the fearsome Toulon Stadium – and the “jewel” of Racing 92 – that’s how Arundell was dubbed by respected French sports newspaper L’Equipe on Monday morning. Midi Olympique, the French rugby publication, was more blunt: «Watch out for Arundell, it's one hell of a phenomenon!»
This is not the first time Arundell has stung Toulon. In 2022, he made a long shot at European duty with his boyhood club, London Irish, announcing his arrival on the continent.
Adding to Toulon's Arundell-tinged misery, the Englishman's two tries on Sunday were part of a stunning comeback as Racing 92 trailed 31-7 in the 60th minute before storming back to 31-26 to secure a losing bonus point and deny the hosts a win try scoring award (in the Top 14, a team must score three more tries than their opponents to get an extra point, rather than just four as in the Premier League).
The 21-year-old's performances in south-east France gave England a glimpse of what he could become on the international stage. Arundell has already earned 10 caps and scored seven tries for his country — he made his debut on the 2022 tour of Australia under former head coach Eddie Jones — but was more of a fringe player at this year's World Cup, helped in part by a hamstring injury . held out until the start of the tournament.
Most notably, however, Arundell scored five tries for his country in a World Cup group match against Chile in Lille. It's a shame the world didn't get to see more of the defender's prodigious talent, but his debut in Racing 92 shows Arundell has moved on quickly.
It wasn't like his trio of attempts. performed against below average opposition. In the first and third matches, Arundell left 20-cap Australian midfielder Noah Lolesio for dead, displaying a miraculous acceleration for his first goal.
Last night Henry Arundell made a second try.
Yes, England, he too can give chase!
And the striker turn just for good measure. ..
Arundell has the potential to become one of rugby's biggest stars. Must be seen everywhere. pic.twitter.com/36PfT8dnTl
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) November 13, 2023
The 21-year-old's second was another display of his speed as he won the race for a forward kick and scored.
ARUNDEEEEEELLLLLLLLLL!!!!
HE IS NOT SO DEBUT!
pic.twitter.com/NVuTGDezj6
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) November 12, 2023
Despite the move to France, Arundell will be available for next year's Six Nations, unlike his World Cup teammates Joe Marchant, Jack Willis and Dave Ribbans, who came on as substitutes for Toulon against Racing 92, given that the former London Irish full-back is subject to the Rugby Union's «exceptional circumstances» clause due to the collapse of the Exiles last season.
However, Arundell will not be able to play in England's summer tour to Japan and New Zealand unless he signs contract with the Irish defender. Premier League club for the 2024-25 season, which RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said his organization would be «working very hard to achieve».
«We will be working very hard with him and with the Premier League league, so hopefully he can get a contract to return to England in the 2024/25 season,” Sweeney said during the World Cup.
However, judging by the latest data, Racing 92 – with their more deep pockets — he will probably fight just as hard. to keep his prodigy. And Arundell, if he is not guaranteed a place in Steve Borthwick's starting line-up, may also want to remain in the Paris area.
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