Young Gun Gets His Shot at Number Eight
Steve Borthwick has handed Chandler Cunningham-South a significant opportunity this Saturday, with the 22-year-old set to make his first England start at number eight against Fiji. This tactical shift comes as England seek to build on their recent victory over Australia and continue their impressive eight-match winning streak.
The Harlequins powerhouse, who has earned 18 caps for his country, has previously been deployed primarily as a blindside flanker with occasional cover in the second row. However, his physical attributes make him perfectly suited to the number eight role, offering England the genuine size and power they've been lacking since Tom Willis's departure to France.
The Challenge Ahead
Cunningham-South faces a formidable direct opponent in Fiji's Bill Mata, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity. The concern for England coaches is that the young forward might be tempted to fight fire with fire, focusing on highlight-reel moments rather than executing the fundamental basics required at international level.
Former England international Ugo Monye points to Tom Roebuck's performance against Australia as the perfect template. Roebuck didn't produce flashy, attention-grabbing plays but instead focused on core responsibilities like chasing kicks and competing in the air - with England reaping the rewards.
If Cunningham-South can demonstrate similar discipline while adding his trademark powerful carries, he could follow his impressive performance against Saracens - where he outshone Tom Willis - with another statement display that solidifies his World Cup credentials.
Building Towards the Future
Borthwick's wholesale changes for the Fiji match demonstrate growing confidence within the England camp. The coach has turned to the creative duo of Marcus and Fin Smith as twin playmakers, while the centre partnership of Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence could become a long-term solution.
The depth at Borthwick's disposal has become increasingly impressive, with quality replacements like Tom Curry and Henry Pollock available from the bench - a marked improvement from twelve months ago when bench strength was a genuine concern.
While Ben Earl remains the standout candidate for tight World Cup knockout matches, Borthwick clearly wants to develop a powerful alternative at number eight who can win the crucial hard yards. At just 22 years old, Cunningham-South represents both immediate impact and long-term potential as England build towards the next World Cup.
The match against Fiji serves as important preparation for the following week's fixture against New Zealand, which will provide the truest measure of England's progress. The signs are promising with two years remaining until the next World Cup, but the gap to southern hemisphere giants like South Africa and New Zealand remains the ultimate benchmark.
