England right to overlook flawed genius Abendanon

BRILLIANCE is not enough in these days of meticulous, forensic professionalism. In another era, Nick Abendanon would have illuminated Test rugby but he no longer fits the mould.

Earlier this week, Clermont Auvergne’s full back became the third successive Englishman to earn the European Player of the Year award. The illustrious prize has led to talk of an England recall but that won’t happen — and it is nothing to do with the RFU policy against picking players based abroad.

Abendanon is a hit-and-miss performer and such mavericks have long since gone out of fashion in the international game. His display for Clermont in last Saturday’s Champions Cup final encapsulated the erratic streak which has undermined his Test prospects.

When Toulon scored a try right on half-time, he was the culprit, rashly giving away possession in his own half and missing a tackle. Later, he threw a wild interception pass, but also conjured a stunning solo try — an audacious chip-and-chase strike out of the blue when his team needed a lifeline.

There was all the proof in one game. The former Bath flyer can be an inspiration and a liability in the space of a few minutes and England’s coaches run a mile from such characters. They have regularly lost patience with Billy Twelvetrees for his hot-and- cold exploits in midfield; likewise Jonny May for his maddening mix of predatory finishing and inexplicable lapses out wide.

In the international game, there is a widespread craving for steady certainty over flawed genius.

In England terms that means a crowd-pleasing sensation such as Christian Wade struggles to make the breakthrough, while Danny Cipriani sets pulses racing in the stands but strives in vain to usurp the steadier hand of Owen Farrell in the eyes of the selectors.

If it was all about instinctive brilliance, Stuart Lancaster might have Abendanon at No 15, Wade and May on the flanks, Jonathan Joseph and Twelvetrees in the centre, Cipriani as the playmaker and Wasps’ electric Joe Simpson at scrum-half. But in Test rugby, the high stakes lead to a demand for solid virtues and all-rounders.

The magicians must also tackle resolutely and field high balls under pressure. The predators must also be grafters.

It is by no means a solely English outlook. Wales view Rhys Priestland as their finest footballer but he is not backed to run the show at No 10 due to perceived mental fragility.

In a way, it is a shame for the sport as a branch of the entertainment industry but there is no going back. There will be no fairytale recall for Abendanon because, sadly, his brilliance is not enough.