'All Black-esque': Only a matter of time for Dombrandt to take England No.8 jersey

Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt continued his pressing form with a three try performance against Northampton in front of a bumper crowd at Twickenham for Big Game 13 which has furthered calls for him to wear the same jersey for England.

Former England captain Chris Robshaw explained it’s ‘only a matter of time’ before Dombrandt is wearing the No.8 for England on BT Sport‘s post-match commentary.

The Quins loose forward made his starting debut in the summer against Canada but featured off the bench against Tonga, South Africa and Australia in the Autumn.

“He has good lines, he’s a smart player. When he first came to the club, everyone just saw this big guy and no one really knew much about him,” Robshaw said on BT Sport’s post-match coverage.

“But every time he got the ball in training he made a difference, he was taking high balls, he just looked comfortable with the ball. I think we are seeing that more and more.

“For him to do that at Twickenham, on this stage, I think it’s a matter of time before he gets that England No.8 shirt as well.”

“It’s a matter of time before he gets that England No.8 shirt.”

Three tries for Alex Dombrandt at Twickenham. He’s thriving for @Harlequins 🃏#BigGame13 | #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/jIqfP5Jbdv

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 27, 2021

Since the last World Cup England coach Eddie Jones persisted with Billy Vunipola before opting to use Tom Curry at the back of the scrum. Jones’ preference for the incumbents had kept prolific Premiership try-scorer Sam Simmonds out of the side for a long time.

With Dombrandt now pushing his case forward, a logjam of options are available for Jones to pick from ahead of the 2022 Six Nations campaign that England will start on February 5th away to Scotland.

After his showing in Big Game 13, England fans were sure of Dombrandt as the man that should start.

Dombrandt at the moment is borderline that guy in youth rugby who was 3rd year about to go to seniors, bigger and stronger than everyone else. If Eddie uses him as an impact sub Six Nations he’s nuts

— Ricky Harries (@RickyHarries) December 27, 2021

Dombrandt has simply got to start for England in the Six Nations. His handling, running lines and awareness are All Black-esque. #HARvNOR #GallagherPrem

— Ben Bradford (@BenBradford5) December 27, 2021

Every time I watch Alex Dombrandt play, I wonder how on earth he only has one England cap.

Another monumental effort from Cardiff but these final 20 minutes are going to be a huge test. They trail Quins 24-17.

— Dafydd Pritchard (@DafPritchard) December 18, 2021

That England no. 8 shirt belongs to one man

And one day he’ll collect it …. Alex Dombrandt #HARvNOR

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— Frank Degzi Kidega (@TheRealDegzi) December 27, 2021

Alex Dombrandt is some player. Just nudging Simmonds out of the England no.8 shirt for me. I think we’d all prefer England to be more Quins. #HARvNOR

— Ashley Ball (@AshleyJarnoBall) December 27, 2021

I’ll say it again, Alex Dombrandt is better than Sam Simmonds

— Cam MacArthur (@MacarthurCam) December 27, 2021

Dombrandt’s rugby IQ is off the charts – such intelligent lines and always in the right place at the right time!#HARvNOR

— The Travelling Reserve (@TravelReserve) December 27, 2021

André Esterhuizen was very good for Quins but you could easily have made an argument for Alex Dombrandt to be named player of the match. His work rate was immense #HARvNOR

— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) December 27, 2021