Ibitoye Backed to Bring Maverick Flair to England Setup
Bristol Bears winger Gabriel Ibitoye has been tipped to add a new dimension to Steve Borthwick’s revamped England squad this summer. The 26-year-old, renowned for his blistering pace, has been a standout performer for the Bears despite their narrow miss on the Premiership playoffs.
Ibitoye’s raw speed, complemented by his 10 tries this season and exceptional offloading skills, make him a unique proposition compared to England’s current wide player options. Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam believes the lightening-quick winger and scrum-half Harry Randall can bring a fresh dynamic to Borthwick’s setup.
“He’s electric, he’s beaten more defenders than anybody, and his growth has been impressive,” Lam said of Ibitoye. “If you’ve got Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on one wing, Gabs on the other wing and Harry with Alex Mitchell, you’ve got some serious firepower there.”
England face Japan on June 22 and then two July Tests against New Zealand as they look to build on a promising end to their Six Nations campaign. Borthwick’s preference for a more attacking structure aligns with the way Ibitoye plays at Bristol, offering a potential pathway to the international stage.
“His hands are massive. He can offload and make things out of nothing,” Lam added. “His work rate, especially in this last part of the season, has gone to another level. It’s been of international level. He beats people for fun.”
Ibitoye, who is yet to earn a senior England cap, will be vying for a spot in the squad announcement on Sunday, which will exclude players involved in the Premiership semi-finals.
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