Back row is not one of England head coach Steve Borthwick's problem positions in terms of competition for places, but the return of Sam Underhill at the end of the World Cup was timely.
The Bath flanker was cut from the World Cup squad early in the summer, but was summoned to France after Jack Willis was ruled out through injury. He played against Argentina in the play-off and was made man of the match having dominated the breakdown.
It was Underhill's first Test since the summer of 2022 and two matches into his return to Bath, he was at the heart of their second half comeback against Gloucester at Kingsholm, winning one turnover after another and providing outside-half Finn Russell with front foot possession which the Scotland international fully exploited.
“It was a privilege to play for England again and be involved in the World Cup squad,” said Underhill. “It was unexpected and enjoyable, although I have still not had time to get my head around it.
“It marked an emotional high to get a good result against Argentina and to come out of the World Cup with a medal was an achievement for the squad. Steve did not say much when I was recalled, and I mean that as a positive.
“He told me what I could contribute, which was not too complicated, and told me to get stuck in. The best coaches will give you simple messages. It was easy to get my head down and fulfil my role.”
Underhill started the 2019 World Cup final against South Africa, but injuries have dogged him since then and despite making his Test debut in the summer of 2017, Argentina marked his 30th cap.
England are not short of opensides with Ben Earl, who was arguably England's most impressive performer in France where he was switched to No.8, Tom Curry, Jack Willis, Ben Curry and Tom Pearson options, but Underhill's absence only showed how much they missed someone with his presence over the ball.
“The level of competition with England has always been high and it adds to the uncertainty when a new coach is appointed,” said the 27-year old Underhill. “It is as competitive as it has ever been in the back row.
“There are three or four spots in a match day squad and there were 10 of us training ahead of the World Cup. Everyone could have played and that bodes well for the future. It is anyone's guess who will play and that strength in depth means we will push each other.”
Flankers like Underhill have to keep adjusting to the way the breakdown is refereed. Even though World Rugby looks for a uniform approach from its professional officials, some have higher tolerance thresholds than others.
“There is a different feel with a number of referees over the breakdown,” said Underhill, “but they are generally consistent in their own interpretations and you adapt quickly.
“There is more of an emphasis now on the tackler rolling away and ensuring a fairer contest at the breakdown and, when it comes to jackallers, hands on the floor. It is about making the area as clean as you can get it, and safer, because you have fewer jackallers off their feet and fewer clearers having to do silly things to get rid of them.”
Bath's comeback against Gloucester came when they raised their physicality in the second half, breaking tackles and storming over the gainline with Underhill to the fore.
“In any contact sport you have to have aggression and physicality,” he said. “Some guys have to be, for want of a better word, angry and be hot-headed. But you need to be in control of what you are doing and a lot of it comes from conditioning.
“You want to be hitting people not because you are revved up but because it is what you have practised and trained. There always has to be an emotional edge, but the more controlled and calm you are, the better decisions you make.”
Success at club level is something that has eluded Underhill since he joined Bath six years ago, but the club is moving forward after a few seasons in the nether reaches of the Premiership and the signing of Russell was a declaration of intent.
“We haw a smaller and tighter squad than in the last four or five seasons,” said Underhill. Johann (van Graan, head coach) shows his level of thrust by rotating, trusting people to do their jobs. We have spoken about consistency and while we cannot look too far ahead, we know it is going to take an enormous squad effort.”
