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'He is always the last off the training field'- Steve Borthwick
By Josh Raisey
Ahead of his second start of the World Cup on Friday against Argentina in the bronze final, England coach Steve Borthwick has praised winger Henry Arundell’s “thirst for knowledge”.
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The 20-year-old’s only other appearance of the World Cup so far was against Chile, where he ran in five tries in England’s 71-0 win. But he is back in the starting XV for the bronze final at the Stade de France, where he will form a back three alongside Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith. Ahead of this return to the squad, Borthwick has praised the Racing 92-bound back’s attitude he has shown throughout this World Cup.
The former London Irish star’s commitment at training has been singled out by his head coach, who said he is always the last off the training field. On top of that, Borthwick commended his versatility, particularly in a back three where Smith is only making his second start at fullback in his career and Steward is starting in his more unfamiliar role on the wing.
“He can play across the back three,” he said. “We’ve got some good full-backs in this squad. I’ve used him on the wing but he’s also trained at full-back with us. Having that versatility is really important.
“What I see with him is that he is always the last off the training field. He is the one who is still there after the goal kickers, after Owen [Farrell], George [Ford] and Marcus [Smith]. Henry is out there working exceptionally hard on his skill development. Henry is a very exciting player for tomorrow night and the future of English rugby.
“Jonny May has taken Henry under his wing a little bit, trying to impart all his knowledge and share that and Henry to his immense credit has a thirst for knowledge. Looking forward to seeing Henry go tomorrow night.”
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The weather was dreadful but the playing surface was great so there is no real excuse for such another poor standard of play from both sides. Dragons just the better team. But, what a shocking decision by the TMO not to award the Fifita try. This pretty much sums up Welsh rugby with poor teams and poor officials. The WRU have a lot of work to do and it needs to be done quickly to avoid rugby being lost to our future generations.
Go to commentsNo chance of Borthwick selecting any young talent. He announced his selection policy from the outset with naming a poor OF as Captain, retaining an equally poor Youngs and Vunipola brothers when there were many better EQP in the Premiership. SB revival of Leicester was based on SA muscle and a terrific Welsh flanker he has generally ignored young English talent.
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