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'He's like a younger, more northern version of Faf de Klerk': The England prospect Sale are pinning their long-term scrum-half hopes on

(Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Alex Sanderson believes Sale Sharks are developing a northern version of Faf de Klerk, predicting that scrum-half Raffi Quirke is in line for England recognition. A member of the England U20s squad, Quirke has replaced World Cup winner de Klerk in the second half of the last three Sale games in the Gallagher Premiership. 

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He is now expected to fulfil the same role against Northampton next Saturday as the Sharks bid to strengthen their top-four position. De Klerk is mentoring Quirke who was a junior triathlon champion and lists Olympic stars, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, as his idols but he opted for rugby rather than athletics as a 15-year-old when he joined the Sale academy.

Now 20, Quirke is making an impact at Premiership level and Sanderson, the Manchester club’s director of rugby, revealed Quirke is already on the England radar having impressed at U16 and U18 levels. Sanderson said: “Raffi is like a younger, more northern version of Faf de Klerk. I know he is on the England radar and is very highly rated. If he keeps doing what he is doing then a summer tour cannot be that far away.

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    “He is electric around the breakdown and his kicking has impressed the England coaches Mark Mapletoft and Alan Dickens. You have to be able to manage the game and kick your way out of scenarios and he can do that as well.

    “It is only time on the field that he needs to become the best decision-maker he can be about when to run and kick. He is good at that as it is and showed that in the last two games. He controls the grey area between the ten and the future is really bright for Raffi. 

    “I’m really happy that we have him at Sale and I want to give him as much opportunity as possible but not burn him out mentally. You have to look after these guys. Normally nines and tens have a bit of swagger about them but he isn’t one of them and is a solid down to earth lad. Maybe being northern means he has a very level had on his shoulders and says ‘thank you’ every time he gets selected. 

    “We have a shirt presentation when a lad gets his first start of the club and Faf gave it to Raffi. He wanted Faf to give it to him because of the respect he has for him and it shows the mentoring system we have at the club. We want guys in the same position to be mates.”

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    R
    RedWarrior 22 minutes ago
    Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

    The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

    I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

    We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

    Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

    Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

    But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

    Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

    Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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