The twin pillars of England's rebuild
The Rugby Paper|October 15, 2023
OLLIE Chessum and Marcus Smith play with such enthusiasm when they pull on the Red Rose jersey that their pride in representing England is transparent, and it will be evident when they face Fiji in this afternoon's World Cup quarter-final in Marseille.
The twin pillars of England's rebuild

There is a spring in their step, and a desire and intensity that has gone missing among many of the senior pros from the Eddie Jones era who have been retained by Steve Borthwick.

It was captured in Chessum's gallop down the left wing to score England's opening try against Samoa last weekend. Chessum is still getting into his stride after an injury lay-off, but even so there are not many locks in this World Cup who have matched his mobility that touchdown.

It was also there in the Leicester and former Nottingham lock thumping the ground with his fist in frustration after a knock-on, and also in his determination to get over the Samoan line from a pick-and drive, only to be denied for a double movement.

At 23, Chessum inevitably has room. for improvement, but in terms of attitude he is fully primed. It makes him a positive force for head coach Borthwick to harness in the England rebuild that he is going to have to do undertake in just over three months time for the start of the 2024 Six Nations.

Smith, 24, is small in stature but his energy is huge, and it has remained intact despite the Harlequins fly-half moving to full back for the first time in order to get picked during this tournament. Smith is brimming with confide and has irrepressible verve and flair. Even though he gets skittled by forwards twice his size, when Smith gets knocked down he doesn't just adhere to the old "Tubthumping" lyrics about getting back up again, he bounces back to his feet instantaneously.

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