"Clear message" - Four England hopefuls who impressed this weekend - Page 4 of 4 - Ruck

“Clear message” – Four England hopefuls who impressed this weekend

#4. Alfie Barbeary (Bath)

In a thrilling showdown at Twickenham Stoop, Harlequins weathered a monumental challenge to clinch victory over Bath. Despite racing to a commanding 37-point lead, the hosts found themselves on the back foot as Bath mounted a ferocious comeback, setting the stage for a dramatic finale in which Barbeary emerged as a pivotal figure.

Despite concerns over a tight hamstring, Barbeary, initially relegated to the bench following a halftime substitution against Sale, proved to be a game-changer upon his introduction. With sheer determination and power, he seized control of the match, reshaping its dynamic.

Barbeary’s influential performance included a spectacular try, where he bulldozed past the formidable Alex Dombrandt, a contender for the coveted England number eight position, narrowing Bath’s deficit and igniting hopes of an improbable turnaround.