Ben Earl trains at inside centre for England as Eddie Jones' hybrid plans gather steam
The more that Eddie Jones hyped the concept of a hybrid player, who is equally comfortable in the pack and backline, the greater the suspicion grew that this was another of the England head coach’s mischievous flights of fancy.
Yet the authenticity of Jones’ plan was confirmed by Ben Earl, the Bristol openside flanker and No 8 who was training on Tuesday at inside centre and on the wing as England prepare for their final Autumn Nations Cup match against Wales on Saturday. As probably the most dynamic and skilful of England’s sudden battery of back-rowers, Earl was the obvious candidate to make such a transition.
The likelihood of Earl starting a match in the backs remains remote. He forcefully still classifies himself as an openside. A more probable scenario would involve the 22-year-old switching roles if there was a glut of injuries in the backline. Even if that does not come to pass, Earl has found the experience of training in different positions illuminating.
“It’s been good to be fair, it’s obviously just another feather to the bow and hopefully get the chance to put it into practice at some point,” Earl said. “You see different pictures, play against different players and are challenging yourself against a different type of athlete as well. Quicker, good hands, better stepping power. Just becoming a better all-round rugby player. Everything is a bit faster, a bit flatter and it’s an exciting group to be in as well.”
The obvious downside to displaying such versatility is that you get pigeonholed as a jack of all trades, best deployed from the bench. Earl is conscious of that scenario; all six of his caps so far have come as a replacement. However much Jones talks up the importance of his “finishers”, Earl is certainly not content to be typecast as a super sub.
“I’m well aware that I haven’t started a Test match yet and it’s something that I’ve got a burning desire to do,” Earl said. “I think Eddie would be worried if I wasn’t saying I want to start a Test match. He wants to see a hunger in the group, he wants to see everyone striving to new levels to see where they can take their game.”
Unfortunately, Earl faces two rather large impediments to that goal in the form of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, whom he admits deserve to retain their places after outstanding performances against Ireland. Team-mate Jamie George made 18 replacement appearances before finally getting his first start, and his example proves patience can sometimes be a virtue.
“Eddie’s brilliant in terms of where he feels there’s growth in your game,” Earl said. “Defensively you look at Sam Underhill and his combativeness - Tom Curry as well - I think that’s the level I need to get to. I think I need to start showing both coaches and opposition that I can get to that level as well. I’ve got to keep doing the job that I get given whether that's five minutes off the bench or 40 minutes off the bench.”
