England have Rugby World Cup star with ‘X factor’ as they prepare for Samoa
England 71-0 Chile: Rugby World Cup Match Review
England Rugby World Cup star Jonny May has gushed over his team-mate Henry Arundell after watching the winger score five tries on his full tournament debut in the 71-0 hammering of Chile on Saturday. The duo are now competing to start against Samoa, and the 33-year-old has admitted that Arundell is much further ahead of him than he was at his age.
Arundell, 20, scored a try with his very first touch in an England shirt on his debut last year against Australia and once again showed his incredible potential against Chile. Now up to seven tries from nine caps, May has been extremely impressed at Arundell’s ability considering his lack of experience in the game.
“I would have been nowhere near playing at his level at 20,” admitted May. “I don’t think I got my first cap until I was 23 and 20 is very, very different to 23, so it is incredible what he is doing. You forget he is 20 a lot of the time, he is an important player for us and he is only going to get better.
“What he’s got is his X-factor. He’s got quite a good understanding of the game, a good skillset. I think he could comfortably play full back as well which is something I still wouldn’t feel comfortable doing now.
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“He’s capable of doing it all. He’s probably had a couple of games where he’s been scratching his head at half time thinking this isn’t what I had planned.
“Sometimes that’s just how it goes; it’s more about not making a mistake and just simmering. I said to him that some days you don’t even get to shoot your gun but don’t get frustrated, but it didn’t end up being one of those games!”
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Arundell broke through at London Irish but a year after he signed a new long-term contract, he saw the club collapse into administration and since moved to French side Racing 92 in June – a move that May believes will only further his rugby education and help him reach the next level.
“He’s going to get lots of ball and lots of opportunity at Racing,” May added. “I think he’s going to improve under Lanny, playing in that league, getting lots of ball, playing in big games… I think that’s a great move for him.
“He’s 20… what more could he be possibly hoping to do right now? The world’s at his feet. Everyone around him needs to learn from him, support him and help develop him. He’s an important part of this team and we need to get him firing.”
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