Neil Back selects his six England back-rowers for Autumn

Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 14:23

bySteven Smith

Rugby legend Neil Back has weighed in on the England back-row debate as Eddie Jones continues to contemplate his no end of options.

At the moment, there are realistically 12 contenders for just six spots in the Aussies next squad, which he'll announce next month.

Sam Underhill (Bath), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints) Ben Earl (Bristol Bears), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Jack Willis (Wasps), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) and Zach Mercer (Bath rugby) have all impressed since rugby returns from lockdown.

Back, who was at the heart of an England World Cup-winning back-row, has made his bold selection on Twitter.

He's gone with:

Tom Curry
Lewis Ludlam
Sam Simmonds
Sam Underhill
Billy Vunipola
Jack Willis

Now it's your turn, pick your six:

The Team Voted The Greatest England XV

With the 2019 Rugby World Cup now under a year away in Japan, Sky Sports wanted to know what you think the best-ever England XV from the World Cup era is.

And after 30,000 votes, here is the team fans selected. There are one or two surprise inclusions.

Fullback: JASON ROBINSON (94% of the vote)

The speedster was a menace whatever number was on his back, a bewildering opponent, a man seemingly able to sidestep in mid-air, with pace and nerve and vision, tough in the tackle, intelligent in his use of angles and selfless when it came to creating openings for teammates.Embed from Getty Images

Winger: JOSH LEWSEY (56%)

A player reborn after joining the armed forces and playing for Wasps simultaneously; his physical prowess was matched with a determination to constantly improve and a wonderful ability to read the game in front of him.Embed from Getty Images

Centre: JEREMY GUSCOTT (69%)

The Prince of Centres,’ was how Guscott was described by Clive Woodward. And he wasn’t wrong.Embed from Getty Images

Centre: WILL GREENWOOD (66%)

At 6ft 4ins, Greenwood had a physical presence himself but it was the judgement he brought to the field of play that marks him out. Everything you could want in a modern day inside centre and more. He is sorely missed.Embed from Getty Images

Winger: RORY UNDERWOOD (55%)

England’s highest try scorer, with 49, and a player of undeniable attacking class. Many of his tries for England are classics of the game. Give him the ball, point him in the direction of the try-line, sit back and applaud.Embed from Getty Images

Fly-half: JONNY WILKINSON (97%)

Who else could it have been? There’s little to say about this man that hasn’t already been written. One of the greatest defensive fly halves to have ever played the game, and a physical embodiment of rugby as a professional sport. One of a kind.Embed from Getty Images

Scrum-half: MATT DAWSON (83%)

A sniper and an absolute pain for defences, Dawson caused havoc on the 1997 Lions tour when he dummied half of South Africa’s pack and headed for the corner to help seal the first test. Although never the greatest of distributors, Dawson’s competitive edge and ability to spot the gap puts him in ahead of many other contenders.Embed from Getty Images

Prop: JASON LEONARD (69%)

The most enduring, the most accomplished and, as his ‘Fun Bus’ nickname would suggest, one of the most faithful and inspirational team-mates to have alongside you.Embed from Getty Images

Hooker: BRIAN MOORE (43%)

‘To be or not to be’ was a question answered by this William Shakespeare fan. He played in three World Cups for England and won three Grand Slams, earning World Rugby’s Player of the Year award in 1991.Embed from Getty Images

Prop: PHIL VICKERY (82%)

As one of the hardest hitters in rugby, “Raging Bull” is never far from a Dream XV list. The former captain played every game of the 2003 campaign, coming back from a series of injuries.Embed from Getty Images

Lock: MARTIN JOHNSON (98%)

The stats themselves – 84 caps for England across a decade, 39 of them as captain, culminating in that World Cup victory, three tours for the British and Irish Lions as well.Embed from Getty Images

Lock: MARO ITOJE (59%)

The 25-year-old would have excelled no matter the time or style of game, be it tight and relentless, a bare-knuckle exchange as often used to be the case, or, as he does now, as an all-purpose player, as at ease in the open spaces as he is doing the grunt work at the coal-face.Embed from Getty Images

Flanker: RICHARD HILL (85%)

The flanker was “first on the team-sheet,” according to Johnson and Sir Clive Woodward. Praised by Jeremy Guscott for his “work rate”, it is no wonder the forward scored so many points.Embed from Getty Images

Flanker: NEIL BACK (56%)

A genuine openside and a genius at the breakdown, Back added an extra dimension to the England side that is so sorely lacking from them now. Notably small in a pack full of giants, Back made up for his lack of size through his cunning and forethought on the pitch.Embed from Getty Images

Number 8: LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO (70%)

Dallaglio has always been a singular figure, one never daunted by any situation which is why he was such a long-standing captain with Wasps.Embed from Getty Images

England confirm first home fixture since lockdown

Umbro announce launch date of new England kit