“Henry Trinder can bridge that Manu Tuilagi gap,” say James Simpson-Daniel and Nigel Davies

Gloucester duo James Simpson-Daniel and Nigel Davies are convinced Henry Trinder is the man to fill Manu Tuilagi‘s massive shoes this autumn.
With Tuilagi‘s chest injury leaving England without a fit recognised outside centre in the Elite Player Squad for the November internationals, Stuart Lancaster looks set to call up Bath‘s Jonathan Joseph, Saracens’ cross-coder Joel Tomkins or 24-year-old Trinder.
For ex-England winger Simpson-Daniel and Gloucester boss Davies, the decision is an easy one: their man is more than ready to win his first Test cap.
“I’d have Henry straight in there,” said Simpson-Daniel.
“If he stays fit and continues to play the way he’s playing, I’d pick him. Stuart Lancaster isn’t afraid to make a statement of intent.
“I’ve always rated Henry. He moves well, he steps well, and one part of his game that has really come on is his physicality. He’s big now and he’s putting in some good hits. He’s been playing Premiership rugby for a few years and this is the best we’ve seen him.
“I think he’s worth the risk. He’s still young, so get him in there, let him grow in experience and confidence. He’s the type of guy who, once he gets used to his surroundings, he’d do great.”
Trinder didn’t make even the Saxons squad for this season but Davies believes his form in club colours would fully justify a double promotion ahead of the November opener with Australia.
Davies worked with Lions star Jonathan Davies for a number of years during his time at the Scarlets and he says his current No.13 has everything you could want in an outside centre.
“Henry’s had a fantastic start to the season,” added Davies. “With the quality he was showing in pre-season, we all felt he was going to start well and he’s been terrific.
“He’s got a fantastic skill set, it’s second to none and I’ve seen a lot of centres play over my time.
“He’s brave and he’s prepared to do the dirty work. He’s had some great turnovers in the three games so far. He’s exceptional in those wide breakdown areas.
“Then there’s the obvious stuff he does on the ball and his ability on it, and he’s got a cultured left foot. He really is the complete package at outside centre.”
Joseph appears to be the man in pole position to step up from the Saxons, though, after he started both Test wins against Argentina in the summer.
Lancaster wanted Joseph to work on his defence after leaving him out of the latest EPS but Bath assistant coach Toby Booth reckons he could still shine in five weeks’ time.
“We know from the feedback that we’ve had with England that they’re very keen on JJ and they’re looking strongly at his contact work. He knows that. He’s been very good defensively and in contact for us,” said Booth.
“The attacking side of the game comes very easily to him. He can beat a defender in a phone box. He’s incredible from that point of view. He’s very, very quick and he’s literally half a yard away from a clean linebreak.
“We’re just glad that he’s got through last season’s injuries and has put in back-to-back games. We’ve been really pleased with him.”
MARC HEYWOOD