Teimana Harrison in pole position to solve England’s problem position in autumn opener against South Africa
England head coach Eddie Jones has installed Northampton’s Teimana Harrison as the frontrunner to fill his side’s troublesome openside flanker position in their maiden clash of the autumn against South Africa.
Jones has been hit by a succession of injuries in the back row with James Haskell, Sam Jones, Jack Clifford and Mike Williams all sidelined through injury, while Maro Itoje was the latest to be ruled out.
Harrison, 24, was hauled off just half an hour into England’s third Test against Australia in Sydney in June, having made his debut against Wales earlier in the summer, although now features prominently in Jones’s thoughts.
“He’s gone back and worked on his game very hard,” said Jones. “His last game against Castres [in the European Champions Cup] was exceptional and he’s probably our No1 choice openside flanker at the moment.”
Harrison’s Northampton club-mate Tom Wood has earned a shock recall to England’s 33-man squad, which includes six uncapped players, for clashes against the Springboks on 12 November, Fiji, Argentina and Australia.
Wood has not featured for England since their disastrous World Cup campaign last year. The 29-year-old revealed in January that Jones had told him that he felt his performances at the tournament had been “distinctly average”.
The Australian has now revised his opinion of the 42-cap flanker, who now cuts a craggier figure. Jones added: “It might be the long hair and the beard. He might be like Samson – he gets stronger with the long hair and the beard.
“I’ve been really impressed with his work-rate. I’ve been in contact with him to do certain things and he’s done that. He’ll certainly be in contention.”
The six uncapped players in the squad are Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler, Wasps back-rower Nathan Hughes, Bath lock Charlie Ewels, Sale wing Mike Haley, Saracens fly-half Alex Lozowski and Worcester centre Ben Te’o.
While injuries have disrupted England’s preparations – backs Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell have also been ruled out – Jones is adamant there could be long-term benefits to overcoming such problems.
He said: “History shows that when you compete for a World Cup you need depth down to the fourth of fifth-placed position.”