Max Malins can see a strong comparison between England full-back Freddie Steward and cricketer Harry Brook in terms of the startling impact they have made on international sport.
Steward is just 20 caps into his Test career, while Brook has hit 809 runs for England in only nine innings – including four centuries – at an average of almost 90.
Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies described 22-year-old Steward as the world’s best full-back under the high ball following a commanding performance during England’s 20-10 Six Nations victory in Cardiff.
It was England’s first win at the Principality Stadium since 2017 – and a biggest away success against Wales for 20 years – with Steward a driving force.
Asked if he could see similarity between Steward and Brook, England wing Malins said: ‘I would say so. He (Steward) is well beyond his years in that sense.
‘From 21 for three on day one, to see Brook score those runs (he hit 186 against New Zealand), I love the way they are playing, the no-fear factor of, “go and play cricket”, and that has helped Brook to play his own game.
‘He (Steward) was unbelievable. It is always nice knowing you have that safety net behind you, that he is going to clean up anything. He is one of the best, isn’t he? You don’t see many people compete with him there and win the ball.
‘He doesn’t always just catch it on his chest either, it’s above his head as well. It’s pretty impressive stuff. You take a ball like that, you know someone is coming to smash you. That is part of the skill, too.’ Tries from Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Lawrence saw England make it two wins in three Tests under new head coach Steve Borthwick, with the game in Cardiff going ahead after the threat of a strike by Welsh players over a contract dispute was settled.
And while last year’s Grand Slam-winners France at Twickenham and Ireland in Dublin now await, England continue to take promising steps.
‘We have come a long way in such a short space of time,’ Malins added. ‘We were disappointed with the (opening defeat) against Scotland but we have shown promise. We know there is a lot of improvement in us, and that will certainly be the objective leading into the last two weeks.’
Scots beaten as comeback falls short
France 32-21 Scotland
A disastrous opening cost Scotland as their perfect start to the Six Nations ended with a 32-21 defeat to France in Paris.
The hosts raced into a 19-0 lead with tries from Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos. Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist and France’s Mohamed Haouas were both red-carded in this spell.
The Scots hit back with two Huw Jones tries and one from Finn Russell, but a late try from Gael Fickou ended their hopes.
MORE : England focused on beating Wales despite sympathy over contracts
MORE : Memory of watching a great match is an inspiration for Freddie Steward
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