Easter backs Dombrandt for England number 8 role

Former England stalwart Nick Easter believes Harlequins number 8 Alex Dombarndt is the man for the job with regard to the England number 8 jersey. 

Easter enjoyed a distinguished career which included 54 caps for England and is currently the defence coach for the Newcastle Falcons. 

Competition for the England number 8 position has been stiff of late, with Exeter try-scoring machine Sam Simmonds, tireless workhorse Tom Curry and the young and dynamic Dombrandt all vying for the role. However, Easter believes that Dombrandt’s current form – as well as the combinations he has formed – should be rewarded with the duties. 

'I'd like to see Dombrandt play if Marcus Smith is chosen at 10 because they have a unique, telepathic partnership,' said Easter, speaking to dailymail.co.uk. 'I know Test rugby is different in terms of the intensity and the reduced amount of space, but if they have those instincts between them, they have that ability to really open up defences. 

'I'd love to see that combination and to see Dombrandt given a go. He has such a feel for the game. He runs such smart, clever lines. 

'We've known that about him for a while but he's starting to do the rough, tough stuff, which wasn't the case last year. His breakdown work and tackle work has improved notably, from a technical point of view, but also from an aggression point of view.  

'He's always been good at finding space and running in the wider channels, but he is doing more now off the ball - which I think has been the message from England as well. 

'He came off the bench against South Africa and he looked comfortable. He's got the ability to play Test rugby. He's been in the environment with England, he sees things early and he's a good athlete, despite his size. 

'If you're dynamic and powerful, fit and can get off the floor quickly, it doesn't really matter what you look like. He's worked hard, he's dedicated and he's getting better, that's the exciting thing.' 

Easter did, however, concede that the conditions at Murrayfield could suit Simmonds more. 

'He's more low-strung and suitable for the close-quarters stuff with his explosive carrying,' he said. 'It's not that Dombrandt isn't explosive, but he's a taller man. 

'Simmonds is really powerful around his core and buttocks area. He's a bigger version of Jack Nowell, really. He's got great footwork and he knows his way to the tryline. I know when we play them, we slightly change our scrum set-up because of his threat off the base and he has a good effect at the breakdown. 

'He's hard to shift off the ball when he gets in those steal positions. 

'When England have come unstuck against Scotland, the Scots have won the battle of the breakdown, so I'm sure that's an area England will keep a close eye on in terms of selection. 

'Get Tom Curry at seven. He's the best seven. Lawes at six and Dombrandt at No 8 because his footballing ability and link play is a bit sharper than Sam Simmonds. 

'The three back-rowers have to complement each other. In an ideal scenario, your blindside is a sort of enforcer, your openside has to get involved in a lot of breakdown battles and your No 8 is more of a visionary and decision maker. 

'His impact on the game should be producing big moments. That's what these two No 8s do - Dombrandt and Simmonds. They can graft but they have a lot of big moments in games.'