The England captain compares Arundell’s attacking flair to that of Jason Robinson ahead of potential debut.
Owen Farrell has backed young winger Henry Arundell to make a significant impact in the upcoming Six Nations, drawing comparisons with the legendary Jason Robinson for his unpredictability and flair.
Arundell, who recently made the cut for England’s 29-man squad ahead of their clash with Italy at Twickenham, is in line for a potential Six Nations debut after recovering from a foot injury that had kept him sidelined since October. Despite limited game time for London Irish, with just 30 minutes of action, the 20-year-old’s remarkable talent has earned him a spot in the squad.
The England captain spoke highly of Arundell’s skills, particularly his attacking ability. “He’s got everything when it comes to a running game; speed, strength, ability to ride tackles, and great footwork,” Farrell said. “Usually, people have one or two of these, but Henry has it all. Watching him play for London Irish and seeing that incredible try he scored against Toulon, you know he has something special.”
Farrell went on to liken Arundell’s electrifying presence on the field to that of Robinson, who had a brilliant career in both rugby and rugby league, starring in the 2003 World Cup-winning England team. “When you watch Henry play, you feel like something could happen at any moment. Not many players have that ability to get everyone on the edge of their seat, but Henry does.”
As for the England squad, the exclusion of experienced scrum-half Ben Youngs, who will miss his first Six Nations match in nine years, is a significant development. With 122 caps to his name, Youngs’ omission leaves Northampton’s Alex Mitchell poised to earn just his second Test cap against Italy, alongside Jack Van Poortvliet, who retains his place in the squad.
Despite this, defence coach Kevin Sinfield assured that Youngs remains a key figure in England’s long-term plans. “Ben is still very much a part of the squad,” Sinfield said. “This weekend is about focusing on the here and now, and the importance of a strong performance against Italy to bounce back after the loss to Scotland.”
