England's legendary number 8 Lawrence Dallaglio has been discussing Eddie Jones' options for the back of the pack heading into the Autumn Nations Series.
“[Dombrandt] played outstandingly well, was a real leader. He was man of the match against Newcastle. He didn’t go to Australia so he knew he had ground to make up before the England squad was announced,” Dallaglio said.
“I thought he played magnificently well in the first half – the 40 minutes that he was on the field. He set up two of the three tries, so I think he’s in really good form.
“Unfortunately for Quins he had to leave just before half time, and really any hope of them winning the game went with him, because up stepped Billy Vunipola, who was absolutely imperious in the second half.
“He basically brought everything; he went through holes, smashed defenders out of the way… He was able to lift the tempo and lift the power of that performance.
“It’s really good for Eddie Jones to have England’s two best number eights, their prominent number eights, going head to head.”
Times are looking up for England. Eddie Jones' men bounced back from a disappointing Six Nations by beating the Wallabies 2-1 during their summer tour.
Here, we examine the depth of England's squad position by position to show just how spoiled for choice the Aussie really is.
So yeah, I'd personally put money on England lifting the 2023 World Cup.
ENGLAND'S STRENGTH IN DEPTH:
FULLBACKS:
- Freddie Steward
- Anthony Watson
- Max Malins
- Tommy Freeman
- George Furbank
Grade: B
Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
WINGS:
- Jonny May
- Jack Nowell
Anthony Watson
- Joe Marchant
- Max Malins
- Tommy Freeman
- Henry Arundell
- Adam Radwan
- Louis Lynagh
- Joe Cokanasiga
- Jack Nowell
- Ollie Hassell-Collins
- Ollie Sleightholme
Grade: A
Jonny May of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
OUTSIDE-CENTRE:
- Henry Slade
- Manu Tuilagi
- Joe Marchant
- Elliot Daly
- Will Joseph
- Max Ojomoh
Grade: B
Henry Slade of England kicks the conversion during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
INSIDE-CENTRE:
- Owen Farrell
- Manu Tuilagi
- Lennox Anyanwu
- Mark Atkinson
- Guy Porter
- Dan Kelly
- Ollie Lawrence
Grade: B
Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
FLY-HALF:
- Marcus Smith
- Owen Farrell
- George Ford
- Fin Smith
Grade: A
Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
SCRUM-HALF:
- Ben Youngs
- Raffi Quirke
- Danny Care
- Jack van Portvliet
- Harry Randall
- Alex Mitchell
- Dan Robson
Grade: B
Ben Youngs of England on the break to go over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
LOOSEHEAD-PROP:
- Ellis Genge
- Joe Marler
- Bevan Rodd
- Beno Obano
- Mako Vunipola
Grade: A*
Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
HOOKER:
- Luke Cowan-Dickie
- Jamie George
- Jack Walker
- Jamie Blamire
- Nic Dolly
- Alfie Barbeary
Grade: B
Exeter Chiefs player Luke Cowan-Dickie during the warm up before Gallagher Premiership Match between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry on October 16th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
TIGHTHEAD-PROP:
- Kyle Sinckler
- Will Stuart
- Trevor Davison
- Joe Heyes
- Paul Hill
Grade: D
Final whistle celebrations for Ellis Genge of England Rugby, \Kyle Sinckler of England Rugby and Joe Marler of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
LOCKS:
- Maro Itoje
- Jonny Hill
- Courtney Lawes
- Ollie Chesum
- Joe Launchbury
- Charlie Ewels
- Nick Isiekwe
Grade: A
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
BLINDSIDE FLANKER:
- Courtney Lawes
- Tom Curry
- Maro Itoje
- Sam Underhill
- Lewis Ludlam
Grade: B
Courtney Lawes, Captain of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
OPENSIDE FLANKER:
- Tom Curry
- Sam Underhill
- Lewis Ludlam
- Jack Willis
- Ben Earl
Grade: B
Tom Curry of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 13 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
NUMBER 8 :
- Alex Dombrandt
- Billy Vunipola
- Sam Simmonds
- Zach Mercer (from next summer)
- Callum Chick
Grade: A*
Alex Dombrandt of England warms up before the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
