Fin Baxter, Harlequins’ new prop star, is expected to join England’s team for the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, alongside a Test centurion who has just turned 37.
While Dan Cole is set to embark on another long-term campaign with the national team, as a reflection of the experienced Tiger’s continued need for his country after all these years, he will be charged with passing on his knowledge to the rookie in the Red Rose ranks.
Baxter is only 22 years old, and the baby-faced Londoner is about to receive his first senior international call-up, as a reward for what has been a breakout season.
In February, Baxter was appointed the starting loosehead in an England A side that defeated a young Portugal team 91-5 at Welford Road. It suggested that national coach Steve Borthwick regards the acclaimed prodigy as the next emerging challenger for the No. 1 jersey.
His case was strengthened last month when Quins defeated Bordeaux 42-41 in an intense Champions Cup quarter-final match in the south of France. Baxter played an important role in the seismic shock, as he crushed the hosts’ 23-stone Tongan cult hero, Ben Tameifuna, in a stunning scrum onslaught, partnering with Will Collier at tighthead and hooker Jack Walker.
On Saturday, Baxter will have to settle for a bench spot for his team against Exeter at Sandy Park, marking his 50th Harlequins appearance. Joe Marler will start on this occasion, but it is known that the player who restored his reputation as England’s first-choice loosehead during the World Cup last year will not accompany the team for the summer tour, leaving a gap. Borthwick is anticipated to nominate Ellis Genge, Bevan Rodd of Sale, and Baxter.
In a recent interview with Mail Sport, Baxter acknowledged that he had not planned any vacations for the period after the end of the domestic season in order to keep his calendar open in the hopes of being selected for the tour.
He added: ‘I think I’m ready. I want to play for England, I want to play for the Lions. That’s been my plan since the start, but I don’t like getting ahead of myself. I’m really proud of how well I’ve done this season and it would be beyond my imagination if it happens.’
Meanwhile, there had been a widespread assumption that Cole would retire from Test rugby at the end of the World Cup, but instead he has played on.
As Kyle Sinckler is on his way to Toulon in France this summer after relinquishing his status as the pre-eminent English tighthead, Cole remains highly valued by Borthwick. His main challenger is the experienced Will Stuart of Bath, but third place in the pecking order is wide open, with Leicester’s Joe Heyes chosen to start in the England ‘A’ match.
Before the pre-tour training camps begin, an intriguing tussle for the Premiership play-off spots will intensity this afternoon. Quins are fifth and face a difficult assignment in Devon, where sixth-placed Exeter are still in the hunt.
The visitors have Danny Care – fresh from agreeing a contract extension – on their bench, along with Will Evans, as Will Porter and James Chisholm deputise in the starting XV.
Billy Vunipola has been cleared to play for Saracens after his recent arrest and court appearance in Majorca, but the giant No 8 is again left to bide his time on the bench, with Tom Willis preferred at the base of the champions’ scrum for their clash with in-form Bristol at Ashton Gate.
Saracens closed out an impressive win at Bath in their last league outing, but are on alert about the threat posed by the Bears, who have scored 137 points in their last two home games.
While the reigning champions can almost certainly secure a home semi-final if they win again in the West Country, top-of-the-table Northampton, who host Gloucester, has the same goal. The Saints, who were barely defeated by Leinster in last weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final in Dublin, are once again led by Courtney Lawes, and Angus Scott-Young and Ollie Sleightholme have returned to the starting lineup.
Zach Mercer is missing from the visitors’ matchday 23 as they prepare for the Challenge Cup Final in Tottenham on May 24.
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