Ranked: England’s wing depth chart ahead of summer tour as emerging ‘Test-match animal’ handed golden chance
From left to right: Ollie Sleightholme, Cadan Murley and Tom Roebuck
As Planet Rugby has already discussed, England head coach Steve Borthwick faces some tricky selection calls this summer, but wing is certainly one of the more intriguing debates.
Wing is an ever-changing position in world rugby right now; be it an aerial threat like Tommy Freeman, a pure pace demon like Cheslin Kolbe or Darcy Graham, powerhouse options like Duhan van der Merwe or ones that come off their wing to look for work like Mark Tele’a or Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and these changes make picking a winger a difficult task.
But, that’s exactly the one facing Borthwick this summer, with the aforementioned Freeman incredibly likely to be donning a British and Irish Lions jersey and Elliot Daly also in with a shout of Andy Farrell’s squad too. While these are just two players out of a large group, their performances late on in the Six Nations almost helped to unlock England’s true attacking potential and now Borthwick has to revert back to square one.
With that, he could use this tour of the Americas to develop a new game-plan built around pace out wide, or stick to what he knows and keep the aerial threats in his team, but how does the depth chart look right now?
Well, with that thought in mind, here is our take on the England wing positions right now.
Left wing
Test starter: Ollie Sleightholme
On tour: Cadan Murley, Will Muir
Outside bets: Ollie Hassell-Collins, Gabriel Ibitoye, Joe Cokanasiga
He might be on the physio table right now, but Ollie Sleightholme should be back fit for the summer tour and will more than likely start. The Six Nations was always going to be hard for him, considering he’d just come back from a shoulder injury, but he has that sort of game-breaking ability Borthwick is craving. He has already shown serious try-scoring ability at Test level after his impressive Autumn Nations Series outings, and in a weird way almost acts as a blend of all the traits of a modern winger.
Around that, Cadan Murley and Will Muir should be on the plane as well. Harlequins star Murley had a baptism of fire at Test level in his debut against Ireland, but he too has that X-factor ability that can flip a game on its head at any given minute, and he also can cover the right side if needed too. Bath ace Muir can also count himself unlucky not to have made his Test debut yet, but his classy performances for the Blue, Black and Whites this season should be enough to get him on tour.
You’d also think Ollie Hassell-Collins, Gabriel Ibitoye and Joe Cokanasiga will be right in the mix too. All three have been involved with the senior England squad at various points, with Hassell-Collins and Cokanasiga winning caps, and they all offer something slightly different to what Borthwick has at his disposal already.
Right wing
Test starter: Tom Roebuck
On tour: Adam Radwan
Outside bets: Tobias Elliott, Paul Brown-Bampoe
Sale Sharks back Tom Roebuck should start for England this summer, given his electric form for Sale and his classy outing against Wales in the Six Nations. He is also the closest thing to Freeman in the winger group, meaning Borthwick can keep that same sort of game-plan. But, in saying that, Roebuck is an impressive player in his own right and is showing signs he could be England’s latest Test-match animal. This feels like a golden chance to nail himself into this number 14 shirt, with Freeman possibly shifting into midfield in the future.
While the aforementioned Murley is an option to cover both sides, Leicester Tigers recruit Adam Radwan is also looking increasingly likely to earn an England recall as an out-and-out right winger. His recent outing against Bristol showed he has all the characteristics Borthwick wants out of a number 14, particularly in the kick-chase, but this also feels like a tour designed for a player like him to emerge once again.
There could also be a couple of bolters vying for a spot, with Saracens ace Tobias Elliott and Exeter’s Paul Brown-Bampoe in with a genuine chance this summer. Both players are showing proper finishing ability this season, particularly Brown-Bampoe with a record of 18 tries in 19 games, and with one eye on the future, this could be a great chance to develop these fledgling stars under the tutelage of some of the best in the game.
Wildcard?
While the players listed above are out-and-out wingers, one option Borthwick could turn to is shifting a full-back out wide. With George Furbank coming back from injury, if he isn’t with the Lions he could very well be involved with England this summer, and that creates a dilemma for the likes of Freddie Steward, Tom de Glanville and Josh Hodge.
All three men have been in great form of late, but crucially have all tasted game time on the wing at various stages and that could be an option for Borthwick. Hodge seems the most likely out of the three to make that shift to wing at Test level, given his raw pace is something England are lacking out there, but Steward has played on the wing at Test level and de Glanville has also looked incredibly comfortable out wide too.
This is certainly a potential option for Borthwick.
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