Eddie Jones has challenged Henry Arundell to earn a spot in England’s World Cup squad next year, revealing it took him five minutes to decide the 19-year-old full-back warranted a first call-up.
Arundell was among the eye-catching inclusions named on Tuesday in a 36-man training squad for a three‑day camp, capping a breakthrough season at London Irish in which he has scored several remarkable tries, including a length-of-the-field effort against Toulon this month.
Related: Henry Arundell makes first England training squad as Mako Vunipola returns
Jones compared him to Matt Giteau – the former Australia Test centurion who the England head coach unearthed when in charge of the Wallabies – and challenged Arundell to bolt into the World Cup squad for France 2023 in the same way Nehe Milner-Skudder did for the All Blacks in 2015.
They are both examples he has frequently used but it was telling to hear Jones reveal how quickly he was convinced of Arundell’s potential, having watched Irish’s draw with Wasps a few weeks ago in which he scored a dazzling try. Arundell is also eligible for Wales and Scotland but would be captured by England if he makes his full debut on the summer tour of Australia.
“He has 12 months to find his feet. Remember Nehe Milner-Skudder? He came from nowhere in 2015 and that is the sort of thing a young guy can do,” Jones said.
“The reason I have compared Arundell [with Giteau] is a similar story. You get reports through on young players, and where there is smoke there is usually some fire. I remember getting a report on Giteau, what he could do, and then you go and watch him play. Within five minutes you can generally work out whether he’s got it or not, whether he’s got something special.
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