ET called back when Underhill launched that tackle

SAM Underhill said this season that he is not the fastest flanker on the block.

Having watched replays of his brilliant try-saving tackle on Scott Williams last weekend at Twickenham I’m convinced the Bath openside is not as short of gears as he made out.

Underhill’s nearmanic effort just after the hour to get back and stop the Welsh centre crossing the line showed exceptional determination – and warp-speed acceleration from what appeared to be a no-hope predicament.

The first issue that Underhill faced was that he slipped over on his own 10 metre line as Wales launched the attack in midfield through Aaron Shingler and Hadleigh Parkes.

Even though Underhill had to get off the deck, his initial burst of acceleration on a sharp diagonal was so blistering that by the time Ken Owens and George North shipped the ball to Williams about 17 metres from the England try-line he was almost level-pegging.

In the process Underhill scorched past Maro Itoje and Mike Brown, both of whom had been left trailing in the Welsh wake, and like a heatseeking missile locked onto Williams.

As the Welsh centre made a good decision to dive four metres from the line and plane over on the wet surface, Underhill also dived to intercept him.

The flanker’s instincts at full-tilt were flawless as he hooked his right arm under Williams hips and used his power to somehow lever the Welsh centre into touch. It was a brilliantly timed and brilliantly executed by a player who simply refused to believe he was chasing a lost cause.

It was truly an unbelievable tackle, but Underhill never lost faith in his ability to make it. In terms of levels of determination it was extra-terrestrial.