"Future England No.10 - Five hopefuls who impressed Steve Borthwick this weekend

Sunday, 05 May 2024 at 19:41

byRugby Rucker

Two English sides competed in the Champions Cup semi-finals this weekend, with a number of English hopefuls putting in impactful performances that are sure to impress head coach Steve Borthwick.

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Harlequins:

Toulouse secured their spot in the final after holding off a spirited second-half comeback from Harlequins to win 28-26, sealing their first Investec Champions Cup final appearance in three years.

#1. Marcus Smith

RUCK 8.5/10: The 25-year-old is not far from the world-class category now. Beautiful with the ball in hand, despite being on the losing side, a performance like this only enhances the fly-half's reputation.

Rugby on TNT Sports

@rugbyontnt

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🃏@Harlequins are up for the challenge today 💪 After multiple phases, Marcus Smith is the one to pierce the line and put Quins in front! #TOUvHAR | #InvestecChampionsCup

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2:20 PM · May 5, 2024

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Planet Rugby 8/10: "Backed himself for his try when men were outside, and it paid off as he dotted down closer to the uprights and followed that up with a lovely assist for Murley’s score. Looks much calmer and mature as a fly-half in high-pressure games of late as he got the better of Romain Ntamack."

Rugby Pass 8/10: "Booed by the home crowd as his name was announced prior to the match, possibly a sign that Toulouse were concerned about his potential threat. They would have been right to have been concerned when a trademark finish from Smith would open the scoring for Quins. The 25-year-old controlled the match well from a Quins perspective throughout."

#2. Fin Baxter

RUCK 7.5/10: "Thunderous carrying throughout and while under pressure at the scrum the young loose-head held his own for the majority of the game."

Planet Rugby 7/10: "Once again the hugely promising loosehead was solid in the set-piece and busy around the field in his 50 minutes on the field. Six carries and seven tackles to his name."

Friends Of The Stoop #COYQ 🃏

@QuinsFOTS

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#Harlequins' Fulham-mad prop Fin Baxter sees himself in Joao Palhinha Fin Baxter looks down the River Thames from his flat in Teddington, pointing out the pathway that eventually leads to Craven Cottage 🟦🟥 🟫⬜️🟫mol.im/a/13383393 via @MailSport

9:23 AM · May 5, 2024

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Rugby Pass 6/10: "The young prop held his own physically, even if the scrum did struggle. He made his presence felt all around the pitch, replaced after 50 minutes."

#3. Chandler Cunningham-South

RUCK: Tipped by former Lions captain Sam Warburton as a possible tourist in 2025, the youngsters stock continues to rise. Sure he makes mistake, but he doesn't let it get to him with the flanker usually providing an instant response. An England regular for years to come.

Planet Rugby 8/10 : "Had an early lineout nicked from his grasp before the Matthis Lebel try and then Thibaut Flament picked his pocket in open play for his score. But boy did Cunningham-South respond. Hulking carries and his rip on Meafou set the tone for an excellent showing from the youngster."

ITV Rugby

@ITVRugby

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🤔 'Do Harlequins ever think about taking it a bit easier on the game plan, a little bit more tactical kicking, a bit more sensible?' - @DavidFlatman 😆 "Where's the fun in that?!" - Chandler Cunningham-South 👏 A top interview from the @Harlequins and @EnglandRugby flanker

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6:57 PM · Apr 29, 2024

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RUCK 8/10: "Tipped by former Lions captain Sam Warburton as a possible tourist in 2025, the youngster's stock continues to rise. Though he makes mistakes, he doesn't let them get to him, with the flanker usually providing an instant response. He is set to be an England regular for years to come."

Northampton Saints:

Leinster clinched a spot in the Investec Champions Cup final after a tense 20-17 win against Northampton Saints in Dublin.

#1. Curtis Langdon

RUCK 8/10: "The form hooker in the Gallagher Premiership once transitioned his recent performances onto the big stage despite his team falling short. Looks destined to add to his two England caps in the near future."

Planet Rugby 7/10: "A real tenacious performance that was typified in the first half with a massive tackle on Josh van der Flier. Continued to throw his body into Leinster carriers but will be disappointed with his side’s lineout struggles at times."

Rugby Pass 7.5/10: "Another top tackler, his defiance was best seen with his drive in the contact to the breakdown where the penalty advantage became the prompt for Saints to finally create that late first-half try chance wasted by Ramm. A galvanizing presence while he was on."

#2. Fin Smith

Rugby Pass 8.5/10: "Leinster initially had this gem of a youngster all worked out, as was seen with how Ross Byrne picked off his pass on halfway with the Saints seven points down and needing respite. Accelerated down the finishing straight, however, raising his all-round game brilliantly, ending with a crazy tackle count and also landing two ballsy touchline conversions. The future England No10."

Northampton Sport

@chronsport

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Fin Smith may have produced plenty of heroics for Saints in Europe this season, earning him a place on the Investec player of the year shortlist, but he still doesn't think fellow nominee Antoine Dupont knows who he is... tinyurl.com/mwwzd2c5

10:39 AM · May 2, 2024

AI predicts Ireland to win a Rugby World Cup, but they have quite a wait

Artificial Intelligence has predicted every Men's Rugby World Cup until the year 2063 and the results are crazy.

AI has predicted England to win three Webb Ellis Cup's with triumphs for New Zealand and South Africa also predicted.

They've also predicted a first Rugby World Cup triumph for Ireland, though many fans today won't be around to see it.

Check out the next 10 Rugby World Cup winner's below.

2027: New Zealand

2031: England

Last Kick Drop Goal celebrations from Marcus Smith of England with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of England to win the match during the Guinness Six Nations Match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 9th 2024. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

2035: South Africa

2039: New Zealand

2043: Australia

2047: England

Joe Marler of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

2051: New Zealand

2055: England

2059: New Zealand

2063: Ireland

AI predicts the next 20 Six Nations winners, Scotland finally win it

Groundbreaking AI technology has unveiled its jaw-dropping forecasts for the next two decades of Six Nations glory, and the results are nothing short of mind-blowing.

According to the cutting-edge predictions, England is poised to clinch victory in a staggering five out of the next 20 tournaments, while Scotland is primed for a historic triumph, marking their first title since their Five Nations conquest in 1999.

However, the road ahead seems daunting for Wales, as the AI oracle forecasts a prolonged wait until 2041 for their next taste of Six Nations glory.

Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses such as England, Ireland, and France are slated to dominate the competition, casting a shadow over Welsh aspirations.

Check out the next 20 Six Nations winner's below.

2025: France

2026: Ireland

2027: England

2028: England

2029: Scotland

2030: France

2031: Ireland

2032: England

2033: Ireland

2034: France

2035: Ireland