Cadan Murley is poised to start for England against South Africa in the Nations Championship on Saturday, as the team seeks to challenge the double world champions at Ellis Park. The Harlequins wing, known for his speed and strength, is highly regarded by England's management and will be tasked with running hard at the Springbok defence out wide. Tommy Freeman is expected to retain the No 13 jersey.
Murley's Path to the Starting Lineup
Murley, 26, started the final two games of this year's Six Nations against Italy and France. However, Manny Feyi-Waboso's return to fitness raised doubts about his place against the Boks. Now, Murley appears set to play a significant role as England aims to end a run of four successive Test defeats.
Despite a difficult domestic season for Harlequins, Murley impressed against a France XV in Vannes earlier this month. Kevin Sinfield, the former England rugby league captain, has praised Murley's resilience since his rollercoaster debut against Ireland almost 18 months ago. "He's probably not got as many caps as he should have had," said Sinfield. "I'd have loved to have played alongside him because he's so positive."
Sinfield's Praise for Murley
Sinfield highlighted Murley's ability to overcome setbacks. "He's had some setbacks and some injuries over the last couple of years but I think his game's improving with every single game. Some guys go into their shell when they go through some adversity … but he's certainly an example of how you fight back. He's great to work with," Sinfield added.
England will confirm their starting lineup on Thursday, and Murley is clearly motivated by the prospect of playing. "I'm buzzing. There aren't many people who get the opportunity to play the world champs in their back yard. If I get that opportunity I'll be so excited. Representing my country is something I've dreamed of since I was a little kid," Murley said.
Janse van Rensburg Eligible for England
Steve Borthwick's backline options will expand from next week when Bristol's Benhard Janse van Rensburg, born and raised in South Africa, becomes eligible via residency to play Test rugby for England. It has emerged that the Springboks were also considering calling him up until they learned he had committed to England.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa's director of rugby, admitted: "If I tell the honest truth – and I hope I don't drop anybody in it – we had conversations with him and he was very keen to come. But then my CEO asked: 'Are you going to try and cap him this year?' And I said: 'No, I don't think so.' Then we wanted to [call him up] in June and give him a chance because we were thin at centre and we had the Barbarians game and the SA A game." By then, Janse van Rensburg had committed to England and is in line to win his first cap against Fiji next week.
Sinfield's Knighthood and Jenkins Injury
Sinfield, meanwhile, has been inundated with congratulatory messages, including from England's former football captain Alan Shearer, after being awarded a knighthood for his charity work on behalf of research into motor neurone disease and his late friend and teammate Rob Burrow. "It's been really, really nice," said Sinfield. "It's been great to come into camp, if I'm honest, to be cocooned away from the noise. The lads have been fantastic. I've had a bit of stick – they've been calling me Sir Kev – but it's all been in good jest. I'm just Kev, so I'm trying to work through that."
Sinfield added: "One of the first messages I got when the news broke was from Alan Shearer. He got massively involved with Rob in supporting MND charities. Rob was a huge fan of Alan's … anybody who grew up in that era watching Alan play and the goals he scored would be a fan. It was a lovely message to receive."
In other news, Dafydd Jenkins has been ruled out of Wales's Nations Championship games after the Exeter captain aggravated a shoulder injury during the Premiership final against Northampton. The 23-year-old will now undergo surgery and miss his country's fixtures against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa.
