Tom Davies reacts to England blunder

It’s quite easy to make the argument that Tom Davies has been the best winger in the league over the past two seasons.

The Catalans flyer has secured consecutive Dream Team spots and was a whisker away from the top try scorer award in 2020. In 2021, he was less prolific but improved other areas of his game helping the Dragons finish top and go all the way to the Grand Final.

Quite rightly, his form has been awarded with a place in the England side both during the mid-season international against the Combined Nations All Stars and in today’s win over France.

He also crossed for a spectacular try today showing great athleticism to dive in for the four-pointer in the corner as well as good awareness to shift the ball into his left hand to offer himself enough room to find the line without being squeezed out of play by the French defence.

An obvious highlight, it showed why the physical yet quick winger is built for the international game and ultimately that’s what we should remember about his performance. Unfortunately, many people will look back at his blunder when he bombed another try in the second half. This came before another seemingly certain try for the Catalans winger was squandered when Reece Lyne’s pass failed to hit the mark.

To Davies’ credit he’s reacted to the error on Twitter clearly voicing the disappointment he himself felt when he made the error.

This one went a bit better than the second attempt 👀🥴Very proud though to get my first official cap and always and honour to represent my country. Been a great week with a great group of lads. https://t.co/XlUOSm9eyX

— Tom Davies (@tom5davies) October 23, 2021

As aforementioned, the focus should be on his brilliant try and his overall game which again seemed built for the international theatre. After two superb years in the south of France, it’s very possible he could continue to develop and became an even better English international by the time next year’s World Cup rolls around. It’s ironic that his development has come under former England boss Steve McNamara who seems to still be helping the England set up years after his departure as he oversees the brilliant form of Sam Tomkins and Davies.

It’ll take a good winger in career best form to wrestle the number two jersey away from him next autumn. Yes the likes of Ryan Hall, Tom Johnstone and Ash Handley are competitors but Davies has proven just how good he is over the last 24 months and despite the error today, he’s confirmed that he can be a top class England winger.

Should a match winning opportunity befall England’s right winger in next year’s World Cup Final, there are few wingers Shaun Wane would want in that situation more than Davies and the blunder in today’s game won’t change that.