England rugby star Henry Arundell is drawing inspiration from South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe as he strives to evolve into a more well-rounded player. After his remarkable return to the starting lineup post-2023 Rugby World Cup, Arundell impressed with a hat-trick against Wales, scoring three tries within the first 35 minutes during Saturday’s Six Nations opener at Allianz Stadium in London.
While his first two tries showcased his natural finishing ability with simple runs, the third demonstrated his refined skill set, reinforcing his reputation as a prolific scorer with 11 tries in just 12 international caps. At 23 years old, Arundell’s blistering speed and instinctive try-scoring flair have been evident from the start. However, since transferring from Racing 92 to Bath last summer, he has focused on improving other vital aspects of his game, including defensive positioning and aerial skills, while increasing his involvement in contesting possession.
To accelerate this growth, Arundell has closely studied Cheslin Kolbe—a seasoned Springbok recognized for his transformation from a dazzlingly quick attacker to one of the world’s most complete wings. Kolbe’s ability to dominate in the air, despite his smaller stature, has been particularly influential.
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“I’ve always leaned heavily on my attacking strengths, but now it’s about becoming a complete player,” said Arundell. “Kolbe is someone I really look up to; in my view, he’s the best all-around winger in the world. I’m confident in my offense, but it’s vital to develop all other facets of the game to better support my team.”
He acknowledged the natural hunger among wingers to handle the ball and score tries, admitting, “All wingers want the ball—that’s just part of the role. There’s always a bit of ego there, but I’ve learned to focus on elements like kick chasing and contesting kicks, which can have a huge impact on the team’s performance.”
Arundell emphasized the importance of tactical intelligence and variety in the kicking game, areas he believes are crucial for teams aspiring to reach the highest levels. Looking ahead, he faces a tougher challenge as England prepares to play Scotland at Murrayfield—a city close to his heart, having attended primary school there during his father’s military service.
Reflecting on his maturity, Arundell shared insights about maintaining emotional balance: “You don’t want to be a confidence player because emotions can fluctuate too much. Johann van Graan, our director of rugby at Bath, always talks about staying steady—never getting too high or too low. It may sound cliché, but that mindset is essential in professional sport.”
With his eyes set on continually expanding his skill set and mental resilience, Henry Arundell is not just fulfilling his early promise but is steadily shaping himself into one of rugby’s most complete and effective wings.