"One of the most creative coaches" – George Furbank: England fullback excited for 'All Saints' back three and addresses Eddie Jones return for Japan T
Yesterday at 01:00 PM
George Furbank is back in the England squad this week, with Steve Borthwick naming the fullback to start in the final round of the Autumn Nations Series. Furbank missed out on the action this past weekend and had to watch on from the stands, as England battled to a nine point defeat to the Springboks at the Allianz Stadium.
Furbank rounds off quite the green, black and gold looking back three, as England are set to unleash the Northampton trio of Furbank, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme against the incoming Brave Blossoms. Furbank is excited at the opportunity to play alongside his club mates in England colours, with the trio supposedly able to read each others actions across the back-line on a ‘subconscious’ level.
“Any relationship where you get a run of games together is going to improve.” Furbank said, at today’s England media session in Bagshot. “Without thinking about it you get to understand how each other play, each other's strengths and weaknesses, picking running lines off the back of that as well. It is more of a subconscious thing rather than an active thing. I am incredibly excited to play with those boy. We are relishing the opportunity.”
Focussing in on Ollie Sleightholme, and the explosive wing is looking to build upon his first Test start which he achieved this past weekend against the Springboks. Sleightholme did not look out of place as he took on the two-time World Champions, as he was ushered into the eleven jersey in the injury enforced absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Furbank expressed how he was impressed by ‘Sleights’ try scoring performance, and lifted the sizzling lid on his teammate that is quick to hit his emotional peak, when on the end of some jokes from his brothers in arms.
“He was pretty solid. He didn't have too much loose ball to get after but he carried incredibly hard. He's a very tough man to bring down, he's angry man. You don't want to get on the wrong side of Sleights. I thought he was solid for his first start against the world champions qnd didn't look out of place at all.
“He's not too bad in training, unless you wind him up a bit. It's more off the pitch. If you throw a few things at him, he's going to come for you, as a few boys have found out. I said he's angry but he's a very calm character who doesn't let the occasion get to him, which is incredibly important in massive test matches. He's been incredibly solid and he's done a very good job in that jersey, so I hope he gets many more opportunities.”
Another Saints man who is getting a taste of the Autumn Series action is Fin Smith, with the fly half named in the match day squad for the first time this November. Borthwick has kept consistent in selecting Marcus Smith as the leading man in the 10 shirt, yet Fin gets the nod in the place of George Ford, for a long awaited replacement involvement for the England fans. Furbank opened up on how his Saints teammate has been frustrated from his lack of England minutes, and the maestro is chomping at the bit for a crack at Japan this Sunday.
“Like anyone in the squad, if you're not playing its frustrating. He's been training incredibly well and doing a very good job and developing his game. He's been pretty open and honest that it's frustrating not playing, any player wants to play and get a run of games together. I'm sure he's relishing the opportunity to get some game time at the weekend and pull on an England jersey again.”
“I want to be involved in every game and so does Fred”. Furbank added, alluding to the omission of Freddie Steward from the entire squad this week. “Hopefully we keep pushing each other to get better and then ultimately the boss makes a selection. As long as the two of us are driving us and always continuing to improve different parts of our game that’s a really good spot to be in.”
There is an exciting undertone to this weekend’s battle at the Allianz Stadium, as Eddie Jones is set for his return to the home of English Rugby. Jones was the England head coach from 2016 to 2022, and was the man who awarded George Furbank his first England cap, which came away to France in the 2020 Six Nations. Despite Jones’ history as England head’s coach, that is beginning to unravel in Danny Care’s recent book, Furbank only had positive things to say about the Australian, who he could meet with after the match this weekend.
“He was always very good to me. He's the person who gave me my England debut ultimately so I am incredibly grateful for that opportunity. When I first came in, he looked after me really well and gave me the confidence to go and do what I had been doing, even though I hadn't played much for Saints at that point. In my run out of the team, I was in constant contact and knew the areas I needed to improve on to get in that squad. He was good to me and I'll forever be grateful for that first cap."
"He was a coach that was always trying to evolve the game. He was a pretty creative coach and would try and bring new ideas to rugby, particularly in attack. I quite enjoyed that side of things – even though they sometimes didn't work – the opportunity to see those things and learn from those as well. He's one of the most creative coaches I've worked under."
The post “One of the most creative coaches” – George Furbank: England fullback excited for ‘All Saints’ back three and addresses Eddie Jones return for Japan Test appeared first on Ruck.
