Bristol's Harry Randall is a key part of Eddie Jones' 'new England'

Bristol Bears’ Harry Randall may not be tallest of his teammates… but alongside Marcus Smith, the scrum-half is a key part of Eddie Jones’ ‘new England’ with the pair poised to start against Ireland in the Six Nations

  • Bristol Bears scrum-half Harry Randall is a key part of Eddie Jones’ England team
  • The 24-year-old is likely to partner Marcus Smith when England take on Ireland 
  • Both could start together for just the fifth time in the must-win Six Nations clash

At 5ft 8in and a little over 12 stone, Harry Randall is dwarfed by the rugby giants around him in the Six Nations.

But alongside wonderkid Marcus Smith, the Bristol Bears scrum-half is a key part of what Eddie Jones has called his ‘new England’.

At 24 and 23 respectively, Randall and Smith are England’s future. They are poised to start together for just the fifth time in the must-win clash with Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Bristol Bears’ Harry Randall, 24, is quickly emerging as a fine talent for both cub and country

He is set to partner wonderkid Marcus Smith for England’s Six Nations clash against Ireland

 ‘I have heard people say size could be an issue for me, but it doesn’t matter what they think as long as the people around me trust me and I back myself,’ Randall said.

‘Everyone is going to have an opinion. I have just got to knuckle down and use it to my advantage.

‘I am still working hard to get stronger, fitter and faster.

‘The more you play with someone the better connection you have. I have played four games with Marcus and we are slowly getting there. 

‘We are still fairly young, so it is about building that partnership on and off the field. Hopefully we can have a good connection if we get to play with each other more.’

Randall and Smith’s rapier-like partnership is a nod to how Jones wants his team to play and the former’s selection over Ben Youngs for the 23-19 win over Wales was a nod to the future.

Randall was a key performer as England edged out Wales in their last Six Nations match

Ahead of the match against Ireland, Randall has claimed England have to be at their best

Youngs came off the bench to win his 115th cap and break Jason Leonard’s England appearance record, but he is unlikely to displace Randall from the starting line-up for Ireland.

‘It was always our ideal to start fast against Wales,’ Randall added.

‘There were chances we left out there, but we feel we are very nearly there to really clicking.

‘Ireland play with high tempo and they look sharp. They will pose a lot of threats to us.’




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