This Sunday (14h)the clash between the Rugby Club Toulonnais and the Harlequins should give birth to a great European spectacle! On the meadow, the champions of England 2021 and semi-finalists of the last Champions Cup could indeed field several players appearing in the gratin of the rugby international… Zoom in on 3 of them.
Marcus Smith
He is quite simply the master at playing which ones. HAS 25 ans, Marcus Smith continues to assert itself as one of the darlings of the rugby world. Become essential in his team of Harlequins and with the XV of the Rosethe N°10 is the symbol of a english generationthird from last World Cup.
The airy game and the flyaway strand of the native of Manila (Philippines) have disrupted the codes of the English oval. Fastequipped with a vision rarely and scorer hors pair, Smith (41 selections) ticks all the right boxes opening half level international. Also praised for its qualities d’anticipationof distribution of the ball and its rolling racesthe opener, who made his debut with the franchise of Twickenham in 2017has already led its partners to a title of champion of England in 2021.
With a QI rugby and intrinsic qualities above average, his style of offensive game (often accompanied by a few “goose steps”) quickly made its reputation. While he does not hesitate to attack the line and take initiativesthe young prodigy will obviously be keen to shine on the land of his lifelong idol: Johnny Wilkinson.
Alex Dombrandt
In the pack of Harlequins, Alex Dombrandt almost already acts as a dad. Despite his young age, the powerful third line center 27 ans is also one of the darlings of Danny Wilsonhis trainer, and Steve Borthwickthe coach of theEngland. Tackle tirelessplayer swift et adroit ball in hand, the N°8 splashes the grounds Premiership by his talent for several seasons now.
Installed at « cul » from the melee of which onesit quickly evolved into X factor among the residents of the Stoop. True scoring machineit displays the incredible statistic of 76 trials in 147 matches (only with his club)i.e. an average of 12 attempts per season since its beginning in 2018. Mind-boggling. Last December, during the 2nd day of Champions Cuphe had also signed a hat-trick (just that!) facing the fierce Stormers. With 4 achievementshe is already the top scorer in the competition.
In full force of age and with the favors until his coach, Alex Dombrandt (20 selections) also managed to disgust the strong concurrence at his post, precipitating departures in theHexagon other behemoths such as Sam Simmonds, Zach Mercer or even Billy Vunipola. A tough guy with an impeccable state of mind and a strong offensive appeal, capable of breaking tackles as well as making plays around him, who is today one of the references at his post.
Rodrigo Isgro
Feeling on the 7-a-side circuit et best player in the world before the arrival of the phenomenon Antoine Dupont, Rodrigo Isgro could tread the lawn of Mayol this weekend. After 5 years of traveling the globe, almost 130 apparitions in World Series and one bronze medal to JO de Tokyol’Argentine indeed decided to put down his luggage in the suburbs of London. A new challenge for the winger supersonic which only has a handful of matches to XV and who discovers his first professional club.
But with his supports of fire, Isgro didn’t take long to acclimatize to the Premiership. First league match against Bathmid-last October, and already a double for the feu follet of the Andes… Left to join the Pumas for the Autumn Tour immediately, the native of Mendoza also took part, as a starter, in the 3 test matches against Italy, Ireland and the France. Proof of the confidence placed in him by his coach Felipe Contepomihe who had already tasted international games in 4 reprises since the Rugby Championship 2023including an appearance (and a test) au World facing the Chili.
Formidable defender and very comfortable on balloons high, Rodrigo Isgro is all-risk insurance along its sideline. Mute since 5 matches straight away with the Harlequins, the former septist would choose the right moment to return to the forefront and shine in Francehe who had been eliminated by the Blues of our Rayan Rebbadj national in the quarter-finals of the last Olympic Games has Paris.
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