Mike Brown settles the debate: George Furbank or Freddie Steward?

Today at 03:03 AM

Mike Brown, who was England’s stalwart fullback for many years, shares his insights on the two current contenders for the coveted No. 15 jersey.

He gave his take on Freddie Steward’s recent exclusion, and George Furbank, becoming the regular fullback in recent months.

Speaking to Rugby Dump, Brown began: “No one thought Freddie Steward would be changed, he was kind of the immovable object, the guaranteed starter at 15. For whatever reason all the coaches saw something they wanted differently from Furbank, and he came in.

"Again he's [Furbank] been through adversity, he didn't have the best of starts with England but he's worked on his game and has played amazingly for Saints this season.“

Brown added: “Freddie is a world-class operator in his own right. Freddie just has to go through this little dip in his career and keep quietly grinding, keep sticking in there, and keep working hard on his game.

Book VIP Rugby Union Packages, Hospitality and Premium Experiences from Seat Unique.

"Hopefully at Leicester, we can have a better season which will help him in his England aspirations. I wanna see him, as a teammate and as a friend, getting back into the English team."

"I like Furbank, I think he's an excellent player, and I love what he's done with Saints, it's great to watch his brilliant running with the ball, but I've always got to stand by my teammate. Also, I like those traditional fullbacks as he's [Steward] brilliant under the highball and good at the basics first of all, so if he can get those other layers of his game added on, I can't see why he won't get an opportunity again.“

He added: "But like I said what great riches and talents Steve has got just at fullback because in a few year's time, when we get to the end of this cycle, to win a World Cup we need different players for different things."

How the British & Irish Lions XV would look right now, zero Welshmen included

As the Autumn Nations Series unfolds, we assess how the British & Irish Lions would line up based on current form, with key players from England, Ireland, and Scotland leading the charge as they prepare for the upcoming challenge in Australia.

Fullback

Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Keenan's consistency under the high ball and his sharp counter-attacking ability make him the perfect fit for the British & Irish Lions’ fullback spot. After his excellent performances this autumn, it's hard to look beyond the Irishman for a starting role in the upcoming Lions tour to Australia.

Right Wing

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)
Despite being relatively new on the scene, Feyi-Waboso has made waves this autumn with his pace and attacking flair. His try-scoring instincts make him an exciting prospect for the Lions as they look for a cutting edge on the wing.

Centre

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Ringrose is in excellent form this autumn, showing off his vision, defensive solidity, and dynamic attacking capabilities. He's a perfect fit for the Lions' centre spot, offering leadership and experience in the midfield.

Inside Centre

Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Tuipulotu's robust ball-carrying and defensive prowess make him the ideal partner for Ringrose in the centres. His ability to break the gainline and make those powerful runs could be the key to unlocking opposition defences on tour.

Left Wing

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Van der Merwe has shown his usual strength and finishing ability during the autumn internationals. His power and ability to shrug off tackles could prove crucial for the Lions as they look to dominate in Australia.

Fly-Half

Marcus Smith (England)
Smith has been a standout for England, showcasing his playmaking flair and ability to control the game from fly-half. He brings the attacking vision the Lions need in Australia, with an added sense of unpredictability.

Scrum-Half

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
The Irish scrum-half has been in electric form, displaying speed, accuracy, and intelligence. His quick service and sharp decision-making make him the ideal candidate to guide the Lions’ attack in the Southern Hemisphere.

Loosehead Prop

Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Porter has been a dominant force in the scrum, and his all-around work ethic makes him one of the best looseheads in the northern hemisphere. Expect him to anchor the Lions’ front row with power and precision.

Hooker

Jamie George (England)
George continues to impress with his lineout accuracy and leadership. His work at the breakdown and his ability to control the pace of the game make him an indispensable figure in the Lions’ pack. Plus, his experience on previous tours to New Zealand and South Africa will be invaluable.

Tighthead Prop

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
One of the best in the world, Furlong's scrummaging and carrying ability make him the cornerstone of the Lions’ forward pack. His technical skill is unrivalled, and his form this autumn has only reaffirmed his place as a starter.

Lock

Maro Itoje (England)
Itoje's dynamic work at the lineout and his physicality in open play make him a must-pick for the Lions. His presence in the engine room would give the Lions a physical and mental edge in Australia.

Lock

Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
McCarthy has shown tremendous potential this autumn, displaying both physicality and technical accuracy. His combination of strength and mobility gives the Lions a second-row option who can excel at the set-piece and in open play.

Blindside Flanker

Chandler Cunningham-South (England)
Cunningham-South has impressed with his work rate, ball carrying, and defensive capabilities. His versatile skill set makes him a standout player in the back row and an ideal choice for the Lions’ blindside.

Openside Flanker

Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Van der Flier has been everywhere this autumn, showing his tireless work rate and tackling ability. A strong performer at the breakdown, he would be vital for the Lions to slow down Australia's ball and disrupt their attack.

Number Eight

Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Doris has been in exceptional form, blending power with finesse in attack and defence. His ability to carry the ball and link play would make him an ideal choice as the Lions’ number eight on tour.

The post Mike Brown settles the debate: George Furbank or Freddie Steward? appeared first on Ruck.