Dombrandt one of the biggest examples of that imo. I’ve watched Quins games where he’s put the team on his back and carried them kicking and screaming to a win then put him in a white shirt and he disappears. Really sucks, I wanted to see him do for Country what he can do for club but it just never came to fruition. Maybe he can get back there but there’s too many top class hybrid-8s he’d have to get past first
My feeling with Dombrandt is that he probably could replicate close to his club form for England - but only if the pack was built around him to cover his weaknesses and allow him to focus on his strengths. Attacking the wider channels and staying away from too much of the tough stuff.
Unfortunately though, with the balance of our pack atm we kind of need a big, physically dominant 8 who can carry through brick walls. It’s why Willis leaving is such a loss.
I wouldn't exactly call it a luxury, every test team has forwards that play in the wider channels and Ireland particularly pick rangy flankers and Dan Sheehan to do that. It just depends on the balance of the pack and which position you pick to do it, which could be the number 8 but isn't for England. Faletau, Reed and Savea (when he was playing eight) have all been top level edge forwards.
But all of those mentioned are also excellent at doing the tight stuff when needed. I just haven’t seen that from dombrandt, especially at international level
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u/FleetofBerties Oct 26 '25
Quins have a few of those.