ALEX DOMBRANDT confronted his World Cup heartbreak head on, examined where to improve and set straight back to work.
The No8 got leaner, Harlequins got meaner, and now the developing captain and the west Londoners are on the cusp of a big breakthrough.
Dombrandt was a Six Nations fixture and looked certain to be heading to the World Cup, only for England head coach Steve Borthwick to look elsewhere at the final hurdle.
The 26-year-old refused to shy away from those testing times, though, processing the emotional toll but also planning his practical response.
A sharper Dombrandt has struck top form this term, while Quins are busy adding a pragmatic edge to their fluent attack.
Last weekend's superlative 31-28 win at Top 14 leaders Racing 92 highlighted the extra focus for both Dombrandt and Quins, and hosting Toulouse at The Stoop on Sunday offers another proving ground.
Esta historia es de la edición December 15, 2023 de Evening Standard.
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