WATCH: Semi Radradra bullied England in destructive masterclass
Every England player (except the Bristol Bears players) would have been delighted at the news that Semi Radradra has left the Gallagher Premiership to move to Lyon, and the Fiji centre showed exactly why on Saturday at Twickenham.
The centre was at his destructive best in Fiji’s first ever win over England, excelling in all areas of his game. Up against Manu Tuilagi, Radradra handled the Sale Sharks star with ease, while also displaying his underrated strength at the breakdown and showing off some impressive long range passing. But like always, it was his performance with ball in hand that caught the eye the most.
The England back line had a torrid time trying to contain the former NRL superstar, none more so than Max Malins, who was sent flipping backwards cartoon-style after the 31-year-old ran full pelt into him.
Brugby Spotlight shared Radradra’s highlights on YouTube, take a look:
Despite this historic loss and calls from the England rugby fandom for Steve Borthwick to make some changes to his England World Cup squad, the head coach stuck with his original 33-man squad when it was officially confirmed on Monday. The only changes are enforced ones, with Northampton Saints’ Alex Mitchell and Gloucester’s Jonny May replacing the injured Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson.
Official England World Cup Squad
Forwards (19)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 102 caps)***
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 45 caps)*
Theo Dan (Saracens, 3 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 18 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 52 caps)*
Jamie George (Saracens, 79 caps)**
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 70 caps)*
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 100 caps)***
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 21 caps)*
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 82 caps)**
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
David Ribbans (Toulon, 8 caps)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 63 caps)*
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 29 caps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 70 caps) **
Jack Walker (Harlequins, 4 caps)
Jack Willis (Toulouse, 13 caps)
Backs (14)
Henry Arundell (Racing 92, 8 caps)
Danny Care (Harlequins, 90 caps)*
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 59 caps)*
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 107 caps)**
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 85 caps)**
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 21 caps)
Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 19 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 73 caps)**
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 24 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)**
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 124 caps)***
*denotes number of Rugby World Cup tournaments played
