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Dombrandt defies exit rumours to stay on at Harlequins

Alex Dombrandt scores for Harlequins

Harlequins have confirmed that backrow forward Alex Dombrandt has extended his contract, following two successful years at the club.

The 22-year-old, from Croydon, has made 37 Harlequins appearances, scoring 16 tries in the famous Quarters since signing ahead of the 2018/2019 season.

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A graduate of Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he represented Wales at U20 level, Dombrandt is renowned for his powerful running and offload game, demonstrating his physical strengths in his first two seasons at the Club.

Following his first season at Harlequins, and his first professional season in elite rugby, Dombrandt received a host of accolades including being named both the adidas Supporters’ Player of the Season (voted for by Harlequins supporters) and the Players’ Player of the Season (voted for by the squad). He was also named in the BT Sport Team of the Year.

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At the conclusion of the 2018/19 season, Dombrandt was selected alongside Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant for England’s Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians at Twickenham, where he scored two tries. Since then, Dombrandt has remained a part of Eddie Jones’ training squads, having been involved in training camps in the lead up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

So far, in the 2019/20 season, Dombrandt has played 13 matches across the Gallagher Premiership, Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup, scoring five tries.

Alex Dombrandt said: “I am really excited to have committed my future to Quins; a club that I have loved as both a fan and a player over the years. I am excited by the direction the Club is going in and having Gussy, the coaches and great players in place there is no reason why we can’t be moving on up.

“Coming up to this level naturally was a huge step up for me but after two great years here I feel I have developed so much.

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“I want to keep on this journey, hopefully help this great club and continue by working with some amazing people in such an impressive, fun and professional environment.”

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said he was delighted to see Dombrandt sign a new contract with the Club, as the team looks forward to a bright future.

Gustard said: “Dommers has developed from a kid with outstanding potential at University, into a first team player in his time at Harlequins. He is without doubt a special player who has exceptional talent and his commitment to the Club is strong affirmation of the progress we are making.

“He is a brilliant kid who is popular amongst the staff and the playing group and is part of a strong spine of young English talent that we want to drive our club forward as we look to compete regularly for silverware.

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“He is still developing as a player and is humble enough to acknowledge areas of his game he wants to work on, which is a credit to him as he strives to maximise his skill and achieve international recognition. We want to create a positive environment for all our players to learn and grow and help them achieve individually and collectively, and we are delighted Dom sees the same potential and belief in us, as we do in him.

“Alex has done, and will continue to, play a significant and vital part in our future success and his re-signing is great news for everyone at Harlequins.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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