Henry Arundell might be back in an England jersey much sooner than expected, with a chance to feature in the upcoming summer tour matches against Argentina and the USA—if Steve Borthwick decides to call him up.

The 22-year-old speedster has been out of the national team picture since the 2023 World Cup, mainly due to his stint in France with Racing 92.

England’s selection rules prevent players based overseas from being picked, requiring them to be signed with one of the ten Gallagher Premiership clubs.

A Game-Changer: Arundell’s Move to Bath

Last week, Bath shook things up by announcing Arundell’s signing on a three-year deal starting next season.

Initially, that suggested he’d have to wait until the autumn internationals for his England comeback.

But in a twist, it turns out the terms of his move will make him eligible for England’s summer tour in July.

That means Arundell could be jetting off with Borthwick’s squad for two Test matches in Argentina on July 5 and 12, followed by a fixture in the USA on July 19.

Lions Tour or England Duty?

There’s also the British & Irish Lions factor. Arundell is a possible contender for the prestigious tour of Australia.

If he doesn’t make the cut for that elite squad, England would likely waste no time bringing him back into the fold.

Given his impressive strike rate—seven tries in ten England Tests, including a five-try demolition of Chile—his return would be a massive boost.

With pace, agility, and a sharp eye for the try line, Arundell offers something special in the backline, which Borthwick will surely want to utilize.

Competition for England’s Backline

England’s current first-choice wings, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, are strong Lions candidates, with Feyi-Waboso currently sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Even with a fully fit squad, Arundell will be pushing hard to break into England’s best 23.

And he won’t just be a key figure for England.

Next season, he’ll be part of an electrifying Bath backline featuring stars like Santi Carreras, Joe Cokanasiga, Ollie Lawrence, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, and Ben Spencer—a lineup that could rival any in Europe.

What’s Next for Arundell?

With Bath leading the Premiership table after finishing as runners-up last season, the future looks bright for Arundell both at club and international level.

The big question now is whether Borthwick will call him up for the summer tour—or if he’ll have an even bigger stage to shine on with the Lions.

Either way, England fans won’t have to wait too long to see Arundell back in action.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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