Sale name 'X-factor and superpower' of new England rookie Roebuck

Sale boss Alex Sanderson has revealed the X-factor and superpower that has brought Tom Roebuck, the new England call-up, to the attention of Eddie Jones. It was at the start of the week when the 21-year-old winger was called up to the national squad for the first time, injuries to Jonny May and Henry Arundell resulting in an emergency call for Roebuck and Adam Radwan to hot-foot it to Jersey for the five-day Autumn Nations Series camp.

There had been speculation that the recent Gallagher Premiership exploits of Roebuck had grabbed the attention of Scotland boss Gregor Townsend as the youngster was born in Inverness and would be eligible to be capped by the Scots despite representing England at age-grade level.

However, Sale director of rugby Sanderson has reported that Roebuck has his heart set on playing for England and he outlined the skills that catapulted him up the pecking order and into the squad for the Channel Island preparation week ahead of the series that begins against Argentina on November 6 at Twickenham.

“I am aware of Scotland’s interest,” admitted Sanderson about the uncapped Roebuck’s dual eligibility. “Why wouldn’t they be interested? He has been in great form, he is a good lad, and still has loads of potential to improve his game. Gregor Townsend gave him a call and Eddie Jones was watching him as well.

“He was interested because to play at the highest level is what every player’s ambition is to see where they are at on the world stage, but he has very little affiliation with Scotland apart from his place of birth. My understanding is he wants to play for England, hence why he is in the squad.

“I guess some of it would depend on how invested and how much worth he feels in the England environment with this taster he has of it and where he sees his future being in terms of his career ambitions. With him and Arron Reed playing so well at the start of this season. surely Scotland are watching them because they are both Scottish-qualified?

“When you start talking about it and the whispers start circulating, all of a sudden the phone goes. It’s like, ‘Believe it and the universe will deliver it’. There is always constant communication with one or a few of the coaches from different national teams, so it is not unusual for you to be contacted about these young lads.”

But what especially attracted Jones and England to Roebuck? “His X-factor and superpower is his ability to climb in the air,” confirmed Sanderson. “He is adding a quality of finish as well as his defensive abilities which have improved over this last year. This is a big lad: 6ft 3 and all of 104kg.

“He was a lad perhaps in the past who hadn’t used his weight or his power to his best advantage. We are starting to see that now in terms of his carries and his defensive efforts over the course of the first six games.

“Not only can he climb but he is a guy who can win collisions on both sides of the ball. His point of difference is his aerial ability but he is right up there amongst some of the best wingers in the Premiership now with his ability to win collisions.”