The Gloucester No.8 returned to the Premiership this season after a successful couple of years in the Top 14 playing for Montpellier with the sole intent of adding to the two caps he won in 2018.
The 26-year old was immediately recalled by England and named in early squads to prepare for the World Cup, but he failed to make the cut for France when only one specialist No.8 was picked.
He started the campaign for Gloucester who opened with victories over Harlequins and Newcastle but then suffered an ankle against Saracens on the third weekend and missed the next six matches.
So desperate was he to get back that he bought an oxygen chamber to speed up his recovery and returned before Christmas, but when he failed to make the Six Nations squad he used a radio interview to reveal his exasperation.
He was then left out of the A squad for today’s match against Portugal in Leicester but responded by doing his talking on the pitch against Exeter in last weekend’s Premiership semi-final at Kingsholm when he was virtually unplayable in the opening half.
He had a hand in his side’s three tries and, in standing out, showed why he had been left out by England. Instead of charging at defenders, he used his footwork to get round them, more Zinzan Brooke than Billy Vunipola.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 25, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 25, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.
