Quins in awe as Dombrandt draws on World Cup hurt to make case for England recall

ALEX DOMBRANDT has been tipped to prove his World Cup point and force his way back into England's ranks.

- Nick Purewal Rugby Correspondent

The Harlequins No8 was overlooked for the tournament, despite featuring as a regular across the build-up.

The 26-year-old has impressed everyone at Quins in coping with that disappointment, hitting top form from the start of the new campaign.

Dombrandt has even shouldered the captaincy in Stephan Lewies' injury absence, and will lead Quins again in tonight's Premiership trip to Northampton.

Regular captain Lewies hailed Dombrandt for harnessing his England hurt in club colours, and backed him for a quick Test return.

"He was gutted. Look, he'd played every single game leading up to the World Cup, then not to make it was tough on him," said Lewies.

"To be fair, the way he's really responded, he has come back into our environment and really added to it.

"I think he has some extra motivation, something to prove, and you can see that in his games.

"He's picked up where he left off.

"His main goal would be to get back into that white jersey and represent England, and I'm sure he will be able to do that in the future."