Piers Francis is ready to banish Argentina and stake claim for England recognition

Centre: Piers Francis impressed in his first cap in England's 38-34 win over Argentina last Saturday
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Michael Aylwin16 June 2017

His journey began in Kent and has taken in such diverse locations as Edinburgh, Doncaster and Auckland, but next stop for Piers Francis is here in Santa Fe, where he will make his first start for England against Argentina on Saturday.

The centre won his first cap off the bench in last weekend’s extraordinary 38-34 win in San Juan with an impressive cameo; his timing, pace and handling key in each of the two late tries that won England the game.

That said, in New Zealand, where he is an integral component of Auckland’s Blues, it is his kicking for which he is most renowned. All in all, he seems to be yet another midfield option for England with pretty much the complete package.

The degree to which he is able to bring these qualities to bear on England’s cause may hinge on tomorrow’s game. Eddie Jones, England’s head coach, has made it clear that the second Test represents the last chance many of these youngsters will have to stake a claim for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. He expects the vast majority of his squad for the tournament to be drawn from the 45-man Elite Player Squad he will announce in August.

With 30 players due to return from injury, suspension and the Lions tour, competition among the legion first-time tourists in Argentina is intense. Francis, who turns 27 on Tuesday, is one of the older examples. His story is a peripatetic one, involving its fair share of rejection.

“You look at his pathway,” said Jones. “He’s really had to battle it out. He was left out of the Saracens academy because they didn’t think he was big enough, had a season in Edinburgh and lost another through injury, then made his way down to Doncaster to slug it out there, so he’s got a fair bit of desire about him.”

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But it is in New Zealand that he has found himself, having first headed there as an 18-year-old straight out of school. He returned post-Doncaster and this year, his second at the Blues, he has displaced the highly regarded fly-half, Ihaia West.

Francis will return to the Blues after this tour to finish the Super Rugby season before joining Northampton to further his England claims.

England XV vs Argentina

Saturday, 8.15pm


15 M Brown, 14 M Yarde, 13 H Slade, 12 P Francis, 11 J May, 10 G Ford, 9 D Care; 1 E Genge, 2 D Hartley (c), 3 H Williams, 4 C Ewels, 5 J Launchbury, 6 C Robshaw, 7 S Underhill, 8 N Hughes

Replacements: J Singleton, M Mullan, W Collier, N Isiekwe, M Wilson, J Maunder, A Lozowski, D Solomona

Harry Williams, the Exeter prop who hails from London, will see this as a similarly precious opportunity. He appears to be fourth-choice tight-head, with Dan Coles and Kyle Sinckler on the Lions tour and Paul Hill injured. If he can respond to last weekend’s awkward experience in the scrum with a big game, it will serve his cause immeasurably.

Behind him in the scrum, Charlie Ewels is likely to make the 45-man squad. Calling the line-outs in only his fourth appearance last weekend, he has impressed Jones immensely in Argentina and the Barbarians game that preceded the tour. As a lock, he couldn’t have chosen a more competitive position, but if Jones wants his Lions to struggle to win their places back, Ewels is doing more than anyone to make that happen.

One other player with a priceless opportunity tomorrow is debutant Sam Underhill. He and the Curry twins — Tom and Ben — are likely to vie for the No 7 jersey for years to come. Tom Curry mounted a persuasive case last weekend; now it is the turn of Underhill.

For the future of English rugby, Santa Fe is likely to prove as telling an exercise as any taking place in New Zealand.

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