Alex Dombrandt trying to find answer for Eddie puzzle

ADAM ELLIS talks to Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt about his journey to the top and goals for the future

Alex Dombrandt credits his time in the Welsh Championship playing for Cardiff Met University for forging his steely determination to be one of the leaders at Harlequins – even if he lives with four metal plates in his jaw from two vicious attacks on the rugby pitch.

Convincing wins over Wasps, Bath and Leicester yesterday have given direction to a Quins side that had looked rudderless for much of the Premiership season. But the grit that saw Dombrandt live for five weeks on a liquid diet has moulded an appreciation for the here and now, and has the No.8 dreaming of another England call-up.

His director of rugby at Cardiff Met, Danny Milton, has said in these pages before how close Dombrandt came to ditching his rugby dream after two ugly instances where he was punched in the head from behind.

Dombrandt told The Rugby Paper: “In my first year and my third year there were two unsavoury incidents, shall we say, which resulted in me breaking my jaw both times. I required surgery on both occasions and still have four plates in my jaw which will remain permanently.

“It was an excruciating pain and the after-effects are just as bad. I was on a liquid diet for five weeks, couldn't eat any solids to save me from putting my jaw in any motion. It often got me down.

“What helped me was the university, they were great throughout with the academic side and made sure I didn't fall behind in my degree. And then, they made all the checks before I returned to rugby once I was able to do so.

“It was two incidents that you rarely see, but in that instance where there were no linesmen it went unnoticed and the minority decided to take things into their own hands with cheap shots.

“It is definitely a different type of rugby in the Welsh Championship. I think we were often a target as a ‘student' team and they think if they arrive with physical aggression that we will give in.

“I don't believe I would have gotten my chance with Quins if I hadn't gone to Cardiff Met.”

After Dombrandt had gone under the knife, the first assault resulted in a court date where the player who punched him was given a tenmonth suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £2,000 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm. The second assault, which involved another player from the same team, Glynneath, passed without a conviction in the courts.

Croydon-born Dombrandt, 23, was given his chance at Harlequins in the 2018-19 season and went on to claim a host of accolades in a breakthough campaign which included Players' Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season.

His ascendency at the Stoop saw him take on captaincy duties in December for matches against Northampton and Gloucester, while Stephan Lewies nursed an injury.

But personal gains have been offset by the club's long struggle to return to the Premiership play-offs – they last appeared in 2013 –which led to Paul Gustard being ousted as head of rugby.

In the aftermath, questions led to Gustard's transition from successful defence coach at Saracens and England to taking on the top responsibilities as the head of Quins' coaching staff in 2018.

“When you come from somewhere and you are focussed on one thing you have so many other things to take into account on the pitch and off it – it certainly is different,” Dombrandt said.

“But take nothing away from Guzzy, he is a great coach and is great at defence. He helped me in that area of my game where I needed to improve, and it is something I need to work on to get to the next level of my career if I am to play for England.

“With Guzzy leaving, Jerry (Flannery) has taken on the defence duties as well as some of the boys who are supporting him in that. Everyone has a voice and we are coming up with ideas that hopefully can take us forward.

“I will always speak highly of Guzzy, it was just unfortunate that he had to lose his job. If you look at the talent in the team I don't think we were playing well enough for him.” Given every chance to succeed at Harlequins,

Dombrandt remains steadfast in his desire to return to the England fold. But he doesn't believe the unsettling loss to Scotland last week could work to his favour.

“I don't think Eddie would be one to change things up if this Six Nations doesn't go well for England,” Dombrandt said. “I don't think that will happen anyway, they will bounce back from that loss to Scotland and will be competing with France for the remainder of the Six Nations.

“It is one man's opinion. I don't quite fit the puzzle to get into the team right now. What I can say is that I am working hard and hopefully when I get the opportunity in the future I can grab it and make sure it is mine.”

Alex Dombrandt was speaking on behalf of Gallagher's ‘Tackling Tomorrow. Together' campaign. The initiative is supporting local businesses and championing their resilience during the pandemic through Gallagher's position as title partner of Premiership Rugby. Find out more here: ajg.com/tackling-tomorrow-together