Ben Earl: Lawrence Dallaglio on why Saracens star is ‘world class’ talent – ‘Better than every other player’

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Ben Earl has had the season of his life for club and country and should now be considered a “world class” player, according to Lawrence Dallaglio. The England number eight was named among the nominees for Six Nations Player of the Championship after a series of all-action performances and Dallaglio explained why the statistics show “he has been so much better than every other player”.

Ben Earl has developed into a “world class” player, says TNT Sports expert Lawrence Dallaglio, who explained why the number eight was “much better than every other player” 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 Borthwick’s 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.

“Absolutely, he’s been the form player. His performances throughout the World Cup were world class for England and after picking up a short injury, he’s picked up where he left off,” Dallaglio said.

“He’s had to do it the hard way. By [director of rugby] Mark McCall’s admission he’s come into Saracens, a team that has no ego, and had to work hard and graft.

“He was in and out of the team under Eddie Jones but this is how important he is for England [now], he’s started 14 of the last 15 Test matches.”

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.

“His stats look very impressive. When you look at metres made, all the eight players ahead of him are backs,” he said.

“Caelen 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.

“Defenders beaten – 24. Jack Dempsey [of Scotland] is No. 2 and he drops down to 11.

“Where England have struggled is to have someone who will really carry over the gain line and that’s exactly what he has done. Both sides of the ball he’s been so, so good.

“Steve Borthwick himself said he left him out of the side and [Earl] phoned him up and said: ‘what do I need to do?’ He said you need to get yourself fitter.

“He’s got that wonderful acceleration which gives him the ability to step in between defenders and get over the gain line.

“I always said this – when you play in the back row, whether it’s tackles, turnovers or metres made, you have to do things that influence the ultimate outcome of the game and that’s exactly what he has done throughout the tournament.”

Fellow TNT Sports pundit Chris Ashton played alongside Earl during his time at Saracens and gave some insight into the 26-year-old’s personality.

“Character-wise, when he came in, he tried to sit in our changing room at Saracens from the off and we weren’t having it. We made it as hostile as possible,” Ashton said.

“That maybe helped him get where he is now. But he learned quick, and that was his main attribute.

“He’s done that for Saracens, he got into England, and you can’t imagine the team without him in it now, that’s how influential he’s been in such a short space of time. With his personality he doesn’t seem fazed by setbacks, he just cracks on to the next job.”

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