Henry Arundell will gear up for a potential Six Nations debut with captain Owen Farrell likening his attacking unpredictability to that of World Cup-winner Jason Robinson.
London Irish flier Arundell made the cut on England’s 29-man squad to prepare for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham, amid high praise from skipper Farrell.
The 20-year-old has been whisked back into the England squad after just 30 minutes’ action for the Exiles, following a foot injury sustained in October.
Arundell’s three caps all came off the bench in last summer’s tour to Australia, and the fleet-footed wing is right in the mix to feature against the Azzurri this weekend.
England captain Farrell drew a cautious parallel with cross-code great Robinson, who starred with Wigan before winning the 2003 World Cup in Sir Clive Woodward’s all-conquering Test team.
“He’s got everything when it comes to a running game; people have speed, strength, can ride tackles, feet,” said Farrell.
“Usually people have one, maybe two of them, but he’s got it all.
“When you watch him, I’ve watched him play for London Irish and saw that unbelievable try he scored against Toulon, and you think ‘brilliant’, but then he came to Australia and he was doing that in training, every other day.
“When he got the ball in his own 22 and he was against you, you were thinking ‘oh, anything can happen here’.
“And there’s not too many people who do that, there’s not too many people who make everybody get to the edge of their seat when they get the ball, and he’d be one of them.
“Every time Jason Robinson got the ball everybody went ‘something’s going to happen here’.
“He’s got a bit of that about him, Henry.”
Ben Youngs was omitted from England’s ranks to take on Italy, leaving the 33-year-old to miss out on a Six Nations match when fit and available for the first time in nine years.
Northampton’s Alex Mitchell is now in line to earn just his second Test cap this weekend, with Jack Van Poortvliet the other retained scrum-half.
Defence coach Kevin Sinfield insisted 122-cap Youngs still holds a pivotal role in England’s long-term plans.
England opened their Six Nations account with a frustrating 29-23 home defeat by Scotland, adding extra pressure on victory for Sunday’s Italy clash.
When asked if people might consider the autumn’s World Cup now to be out of Youngs’ reach, Sinfield replied: “I don’t think those people matter. The only person that matters is Ben, understanding where he fits.
“He’s certainly part of our squad. It’s just for this weekend. If Steve (Borthwick) were sat here now he wouldn’t be focusing on the World Cup.
“What is important and clear for us is how important Sunday is, getting a performance and improving”
