Other young contenders for the England No.7 shirt
THE test openside landscape that Eddie Jones described as parched when he took over the England job is beginning to fill with candidates, although the head coach has yet to fully endorse any of them. Matt Kvesic’s main rivals in his challenge for the No.7 shirt ahead of the 2019 World Cup are – with the exception of James Haskell, the incumbent – Jack Clifford, Teimana Harrison, Sam Underhill, Will Evans and Will Fraser.
With the exception of the gnarled Haskell, and the injury-hit Fraser (27), the other candidates are all younger than Kvesic at 24, and have less Premiership experience. Clifford and Harrison are ahead of him in the pecking order, but despite their inclusion in the Six Nations squad have the serious obstacle of being part-time No.7s.
Clifford is played across the back row by Harlequins, and the same is true of Harrison at Northampton.
Both non-specialists are seen as ball-carriers, although neither of them have caught the eye this season. Clifford was relatively quiet when he got a start against Wales, and Harrison has not brought the impact off the bench others have, dropping out of the match 23. Fraser was making waves as a forager and carrier with Saracens until hobbled by a series of injuries which have seen him sidelined for long periods over the last three years. He is close to full fitness again, but will need a sustained run to get into contention. Evans caused a stir when he was selected in the EPS having just emerged from the U20 ranks, but after a few starts for Leicester an ankle injury has limited his game time. Evans is fast and tenacious, but a little light on carrying power. The same cannot be said of Underhill, 20, who joins Bath from the Ospreys this summer. He is powerful and abrasive, whether carrying or tackling, and having learned from Justin Tipuric, his progress at Bath will be watched with interest. But with Francois Louw also at Bath, it will be up to coach Todd Blackadder whether Underhill gets a concerted run at No.7. Playing for your club in the shirt you want to be considered for England should be a pre-requisite.