Lawrence and Tuilagi the next centres of attention?

WITH only World Cup warm-ups to come in the international game this summer before the 2023 tournament starts, it’s fair to say that there are three outstanding centre combinations in place – and that England’s is not one of them.

- JEREMY GUSCOTT

The three best midfields for me are the South African 12-13 pairing of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am, the French duo of Jonathan Danty and Gael Fickou, and the almost totally interchangeable Irish quartet of Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Stuart McCloskey.

When you look at those pairings you see balance, that they all work well together – and they understand each other’s strengths and how to support each other. In addition they all fit into the team dynamic, and they are not out-and-out mavericks. Usually they are combinations that have become established through playing a lot of games together, most often for a successful team, in the way that Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith did for New Zealand on the way to winning the 2015 World Cup.

The South African 2019 world champion combination of de Allende and Am is still one of the most effective there is. De Allende, 31, is the headline act because he is such a physical unit (6ft 3ins, 16st 5lbs), and an excellent ball carrier. He’s such a strong runner, and by staying on his feet he attracts multiple defenders. At 29, Am (6ft 1in, 14st 9lbs) is now in his prime. He has that same commitment but also brings some lovely touches, and has the speed to threaten out wide.