Dallaglio explains why ‘world class’ Earl was ‘better than every other player’ at Six Nations
Ben Earl has developed into a âworld classâ player, says TNT Sports expert Lawrence Dallaglio, who explained why the number eight was âmuch better than every other playerâ at the 2024 Six Nations.
The Saracens forward was named on a four-man shortlist for the Six Nations Player of the Championship award after a series of standout performances for England.
He has risen to prominence over the last year at international level and excelled as Steve Borthwickâs side won bronze at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Dallaglio, a World Cup-winning number eight during his playing days, was asked whether Earl should be considered world class after a stellar year for club and country.
âAbsolutely, heâs been the form player. His performances throughout the World Cup were world class for England and after picking up a short injury, heâs picked up where he left off,â Dallaglio said.
âHeâs had to do it the hard way. By [director of rugby] Mark McCallâs admission he’s come into Saracens, a team that has no ego, and had to work hard and graft.
âHe was in and out of the team under Eddie Jones but this is how important he is for England [now], heâs started 14 of the last 15 Test matches.â
Dallaglio highlighted the statistical data that showed just how impactful Earl was during the Six Nations.
He ended the tournament as the No. 1 player for carries (72) and gain line success (31), No. 2 for defenders beaten (24) and contact metres (86) and No. 9 for metres made (228).
However, Dallaglio pointed out why the final number was more impressive than it might at first seem.
âHis stats look very impressive. When you look at metres made, all the eight players ahead of him are backs,â he said.
âCaelen Doris [of Ireland] is the next forward and he only made 151 metres. He has not only been outstanding, he has been so much better than every other player.
âDefenders beaten â 24. Jack Dempsey [of Scotland] is No. 2 and he drops down to 11.
âWhere England have struggled is to have someone who will really carry over the gain line and thatâs exactly what he has done. Both sides of the ball heâs been so, so good.
âSteve Borthwick himself said he left him out of the side and [Earl] phoned him up and said: âwhat do I need to do?â He said you need to get yourself fitter.
âHeâs got that wonderful acceleration which gives him the ability to step in between defenders and get over the gain line.
âI always said this â when you play in the back row, whether itâs tackles, turnovers or metres made, you have to do things that influence the ultimate outcome of the game and thatâs exactly what he has done throughout the tournament.â
Fellow TNT Sports pundit Chris Ashton played alongside Earl during his time at Saracens and gave some insight into the 26-year-oldâs personality.
âCharacter-wise, when he came in, he tried to sit in our changing room at Saracens from the off and we werenât having it. We made it as hostile as possible,â Ashton said.
âThat maybe helped him get where he is now. But he learned quick, and that was his main attribute.
âHeâs done that for Saracens, he got into England, and you canât imagine the team without him in it now, thatâs how influential heâs been in such a short space of time. With his personality he doesnât seem fazed by setbacks, he just cracks on to the next job.â
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