Steve Borthwick hands Henry Arundell England recall ahead of Bath move after sacrificing international career to join Racing 92
Henry Arundell has been given an early opportunity to return from England exile and reignite his stalled Test career, after being called up by Steve Borthwick ahead of his arrival at Bath.
The 22-year-old emerged as English rugby's next big thing in 2022, when he scored a staggering 100m solo try for London Irish at Toulon, before being fast-tracked into the senior national squad, having illuminated the Under-20 side with his prolific exploits.
Arundell made his debut for England against Australia in Perth and stunned the Wallabies by striking with his first touch as an international player, with a combination of power, footwork and pace.
The flying wing sensation went on to feature at the 2023 World Cup and claim a record-equalling five tries in the pool-stage win over Chile in Lille. However, by then he had agreed to join Racing 92 in Paris – following the financial collapse of Irish – and after the global showpiece he became unavailable to Borthwick, the England head coach, due to the RFU policy against picking players based overseas.
His enforced move across the Channel began brightly with a hat-trick on debut for Racing, but he struggled for form and fitness for the majority of a difficult campaign, before agreeing an early release from his contract, in order to join Bath. That has opened the door for his inclusion in the Red Rose training squad preparing for a non-cap match against a France XV at Twickenham on June 21, followed by summer Tests against Argentina and the USA.
The involvement with England will allow Arundell to make an early connection with Bath's visionary attack coach, Lee Blackett – who will be assisting Borthwick on the forthcoming tour of the Americas. That arrangement alone is bound to be a boost for a player who remains an exciting young prospect, providing he can regain confidence and sharpness in a positive environment. By the time he joins up with Bath, they could have completed a Treble by winning the Premiership.
In the aftermath of his decision to move to the French capital, Arundell's mantel as English rugby's next big thing was seized by Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who burst on to the Test scene in dazzling fashion last year. Now, Borthwick has both men at his disposal, along with other rookie contenders Ollie Sleightholme, Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley.
Despite having lost a raft of key men to Lions call-ups, this means England should have significant firepower and potency as they gear up to face the dangerous Pumas in La Plata and San Juan, and the USA in Washington DC. Arundell's ability to operate at full back will also be a factor in his favour, as the head coach weighs up his options before naming a tour squad on June 23.
Regaining the services of an exciting talent who had migrated to France is good news for Borthwick and he will hope that others follow. England's management team would relish a chance to promote Racing lock Junior Kpoku to their senior squad as and when he returns to the Premiership, while Stade Francais centre Joe Marchant would be another exile on the wanted list.
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