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England's Daly ready for aerial challenge against Argentina / Photo: Adrian Dennis - AFP
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England's Daly ready for aerial challenge against Argentina
Elliot Daly knows better than most the risks and rewards of competing for the high ball in rugby union as he prepares to make his England comeback on the wing against Argentina in an Autumn Nations Series international at Twickenham on Sunday.
Back in 2016, the fledgling Test back lasted barely five minutes against the Pumas before being shown a red card for taking out Leonardo Senatore in mid-air.
Nine years on, England coach Steve Borthwick will look to Daly to win the dropping ball as his side look to finish 2025 with an 11th straight win.
Much has changed since Daly, who has 73 England caps, saw red nine years ago.
A rule change means "escorts" are no longer allowed to protect the catcher of a high ball, making it a much more contested area with chasers permitted "free access".
"It's changed the game," said Daly, who on Sunday will be making his first competitive appearance since breaking his forearm while playing for the British and Irish Lions against Queensland on July 2.
"When you were able to escort there was a 75 percent chance of getting the ball as a catcher, but now it's probably 50-50.
"It does allow for more unstructured turnovers from which to attack, so I can see from that point of view how it's more exciting to watch. But we know as players what we're giving the other team if we don't quite get it right. We know how important it is."
"Hopefully we can come out on top."
Daly added: "We were pretty good under the old laws, but now you know you're not going to get blocked you can go for the ball and try and either tap it back or catch it. We've seen that with Tom Roebuck in recent weeks: he's tapped a couple back and we've scored tries so we understand how it can be a massive weapon for us."
Daly said the England players knew what they had to do in order to stay on the right side of the referee.
"You know where the line is. It's about being as squeaky clean as possible now, especially clear-outs and tackles and all that kind of stuff. That's the way we train, too. We train to make sure...we keep 15 men on the field."
Borthwick has backed Daly to be a key figure in the England set-up through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The 33-year-old is confident of holding his place despite the rise of younger back three players such as Roebuck, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman and Henry Arundell.
"We get tracked on GPS data so you know when you're behind," said Daly. "When that point comes I might look at myself, but I feel brilliant at the moment.
"I would love to be here come the next World Cup and help as much as possible. And beyond that."
F.A.Wagner--BlnAP
