George Furbank OUT? Seven England full-back options ranked as man in ‘pole position’ emerges
George Furbank (left) has emerged as a major doubt for the Autumn Nations Series, with Freddie Steward (centre) and Marcus Smith (right) among the candidates to come in at full-back
Northampton Saints and England full-back George Furbank is in a race against time to be fit for the Autumn Nations Series, with the star admitting he’s ‘another few weeks’ away from making a return to the field.
The 28-year-old endured a tough ride last season, suffering a broken arm in December before re-injuring it in his first game back and then getting concussed just two minutes into his subsequent return in the Champions Cup final.
These injury issues saw him miss out on a place on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, alongside four other Northampton teammates and 13 other Englishmen, as well as England’s summer tour of the Americas.
‘I’m hoping it’s going to be another few weeks or so’
Speaking on BBC Radio Northampton’s Saints Show, Furbank offered an insight into his ‘frustrating’ pre-season, which has again seen him suffer with injuries across his body.
“The arm hasn’t been whacked for the last seven months, so it’s feeling alright,” he said.
“I came back, then I had a stress fracture in the plate that was in my arm. I came back from that, started feeling good, and then I had the head knock.
“Since then, I’ve had about five or six recurring issues in both calves, which has been the problem. It’s been a pretty frustrating time, to be honest.
“I don’t want to say a definite timeline again, but I’m hoping it’s going to be another few weeks or so.”
But, this timeframe suggests he could still be in major doubt heading towards the Autumn Nations Series, which begins in just four weeks.
That now gives England head coach Steve Borthwick a major selection headache at full-back ahead of their four Tests against the Wallabies, Fiji, the All Blacks and Los Pumas, but who will he turn to?
Well, here is our in-depth look at the options available to don the 15 shirt for England should Furbank miss out.
Front-runner: Freddie Steward
After the summer tour, Freddie Steward seems in pole position to start at full-back in Furbank’s absence, but it’s certainly no sympathy start.
The Leicester man seemed incredibly refreshed and revitalised in the Test arena this summer, flourishing in Lee Blackett’s new attacking system. He often found himself acting as that support runner alongside the likes of Tom Roebuck or Will Muir, and got the rewards out of it with two tries in two Tests.
Around that, his desire to counter-attack in space makes him a unique threat in this backline, and his work under the high ball is also a major tick in his box.
He’s had a tough time of it at Test level in the past few years, after such a fast start too, but this could be his chance to again establish himself as the go-to 15.
In the mix: Marcus Smith, Joe Carpenter, Henry Arundell
Borthwick could also very easily turn to Marcus Smith, Joe Carpenter or Henry Arundell to come in at full-back too, with the trio again likely to be in contention for a Test spot.
Smith won’t particularly like his inclusion here, given he wants to play fly-half, but his versatility is becoming his USP, and with Fin Smith, George Ford and Owen Farrell in the conversation for that number 10 shirt too, playing 15 could be his way of cracking the starting line-up. He would also act as that second ball-player in the backfield, and it would also be interesting to see him in this Blackett system here.
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Carpenter finally got his chance at Test level in England’s win over the USA, and this could be another opportunity to give him a go. The Sale man has also just got better and better over the past few seasons, largely down to his involvement in the wider England squad, but he also seemed to settle quickly to life at this level, and deploying him in the Autumn would only speed up his Test development. There’s a real player in Carpenter, and one that is threatening to really unleash.
While he might be viewed more as a winger, Arundell’s ability to cover 15 makes him a great option to use in the Test side. The Bath man is such an exciting talent ball-in-hand, and in a similar way to how the All Blacks use Will Jordan, he could be the perfect counter-attack or strike-move player to have in the backfield. He is also looking to push his way back into the England squad after two seasons in Paris, and this could be a good way to bring him back in.
Outside bet: Tom de Glanville, Max Malins, George Hendy
There are a number of strong options right across the PREM, and Tom de Glanville, Max Malins and George Hendy are certainly pushing their name up in the conversation. All men offer plenty of cover right across the backline, with Malins and Hendy also able to shift over to the wing, while De Glanville can operate almost anywhere from 10 outwards.
De Glanville and Hendy also began the PREM season in good touch for Bath and Northampton, while Malins also has Test experience under his belt and is making a return to action this weekend too.
