Former Bath and England prop David Flatman has been reflecting on the second round of Prem Rugby, highlighting Afolabi Fasogbon’s “pirouette, sidestep and dive” as a personal highlight from the weekend.
Speaking to Cosmos Currency Exchange, the presenter said: “My highlight was the madness of the comebacks at Leicester and Gloucester. Just totally wild with entertainment, and stress levels off the charts! Who would be a coach? Two moments would be Alex Dombrandt’s pass for the Will Porter try, as it was utterly sublime, and Afolabi Fasogbon’s pirouette, sidestep and dive for a try. Wonderful!
However, it wasn’t just the props that impressed Flatman. Elsewhere, he highlighted Saracens stars Max Malins and Tom Willis for their impact in the London club’s win over Bristol.
“Tom Willis. What a machine he is in the carry. The thing is, all the lads he’s playing against know what’s coming, but they just can’t quite manage to consistently contain his strength in the contact. He is England’s outstanding option at number 8.
“Max Malins was just velvet, pure class from start to finish, and has to be in the conversation around who plays fullback for England this autumn.”
Bath’s dominance
It was his former team that really caught his eye this weekend, however, and he’s prepared to put money on their future success.
“My £20 says they win the Premiership Rugby again,” said the 45-year-old. “They never look stressed at the moment. The confidence and composure is dripping off them.
No player is more consistent for Bath than their world-class captain Ben Spencer, a player who Flatman believes should have a lot more caps for England.
Explaining why Spencer was overlooked for so many years, Flatman said: “He is a game manager at 9, and some coaches don’t feel they need one of those at 9 and 10. A pragmatic 10 is often matched with a more instinctive 9, and vice versa. I’d always have him in my England 23.
Spencer’s not the only Bath player on the brink of England selection; young back row Guy Pepper is also right in the mix.
“He’s mega, isn’t he! He will be very close. He may even move ahead of Ben Curry, but not Tom if he’s fit. Tom has too much credit in the bank, though a lack of game time may be an issue. Pepper could play, and I’ve no doubt he’d be a star from the off at test level. You’d probably have to leave out Underhill then though, and Pollock, which isn’t easy!”
England predictions
Looking ahead to England’s Autumn test matches against New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Fiji, Flatman feels optimistic.
“England go into these games in a great spot. I’m fascinated to see who they pick at 10 and at 9. The reality is, everyone has an opinion. There is no wrong choice there. There are two or three guys in every position they could pick.
“My prediction would be that England beat Australia, beat Fiji and beat Argentina. The New Zealand game might well prove to be the toughest game of all. But I do think that is a winnable match. Coming out with three wins would be a successful Autumn.
“But I do think England would be within their rights to go for four wins. I think they’re good enough to beat New Zealand at home. It wouldn’t surprise me if England vs Australia is a classic, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Argentina is incredibly tight because they don’t go away, there is a lot of quality there. But I still think England beat them.
“I wouldn’t be shocked with four wins this Autumn.”