Alex Dombrandt has forced his way into England’s World Cup plans just a year after leaving university.
Nicknamed the Dominator, the 22-year-old only left Cardiff Met in 2018, signing for Harlequins in February of that year. Yet such has been his progress that Eddie Jones has named him in the first of his World Cup training squads.
"Alex has a feel for the game that only the very good players have,” said Quins boss Paul Gustard. “We are just scratching the surface with him and are really excited about how good he can be."
The back row starlet has just 16 league games to his name but announced himself on the international arena this month with two tries for an England XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Dombrandt’s joy contrasts with the pain of rejection felt by his clubmates Chris Robshaw and Danny Care - both of whom are omitted. Other notable absentees are Dylan Hartley, England’s most successful captain, and No.8 Nathan Hughes.
Hartley has not played since damaging his knee last December. He has been close to returning a number of times, but his failure to do so makes him a major World Cup doubt.
Players who took part in the end of season play-offs were not supposed to be considered due to a mandatory five week rest period.
But head coach Jones has made an exception with Lewis Ludlam and Val Rapava Ruskin who join fellow Red Rose rookie Ruaridh McConnochie on the 29-man list.
The RFU claim Ludlam and Rapava Ruskin - as well as Dombrandt and Marcus Smith, who played in that BaaBaas game - will have their workload monitored to ensure the correct rest periods are fulfilled.
Players union boss Damian Hopley said: “Player welfare has to be at the forefront of the game but we do not want to stifle players’ ambitions.
“There will always be exceptions. We have been assured that these players will get their stand-down time at some point.”
Jones added that the first two England training camps have been designed to “improve individual players’ fundamentals to allow them to compete” for World Cup spots.
England training squad
Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester), Tom Curry (Sale), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Tom Dunn (Bath), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester), Nick Schonert (Worcester), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester), Sam Underhill (Bath), Mark Wilson (Newcastle).
Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Elliot Daly (Wasps), George Ford (Leicester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Jonny May (Leicester), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath), Dan Robson (Wasps), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Te’o (Worcester), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Anthony Watson (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester).
