The key members of the cavalry may be away on Lions duty, but England’s lineup for Sunday’s Independence Day showdown with the Eagles is still loaded. 

Here are three players that could make it long afternoon for the Eagles:

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July 4 | 9AM ET

Marcus Smith

It’s easy to forget Marcus Smth is still just 22 years of age; the young man who emerged on the scene four years ago is now vying for the title of best fly-half in Britain. While he may have been overlooked for a Lions’ place this year, you get the sense it’ll be the last tour he misses out on. 

Despite his lack of physical size, Marcus Smith’s presence on the pitch is enormous. He orchestrates his attack like a symphonic conductor, always aware what the 14 players around him are or should be doing, while facilitating with an ease and a calm beyond his years. Yet no sooner does a defense shift its attention to the pieces around him, Smith snipes through gaps and half-gaps like a hot knife through butter. And, a true triple-threat, England’s newest 10 can crack the ball with the best of them - off the tee or out of hand. 

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Smith is more than happy to get mixed in defensively. You won’t see many 5’9, 181 lb players cutting down huge No. 8’s but Marcus is an exception; sound technique and aggressive commitment are the hallmarks of his tackling ability. 

Sam Underhill

Pegged by some as the biggest Lions snub of 2021, this tackling machine gobbles anything in his path. Perhaps first known for undressing Beauden Barrett with this swerving run in 2018, it’s Underhill’s relentless tackle count and workrate that have made him one of the most destructive back rowers on the planet. 

Watch England vs USA Live on FloRugby!

July 4 | 9AM ET

All the great teams, regardless of sport, have their destroy-the-other-team’s-gameplan guy, and for England that’s Sam Underhill. As a casual viewer, it’s easy to spot the massive hits and point to his power and aggression as the reasons, but there’s a lot more behind his craft than that. Pay attention to the way Underhill anticipates the flow of play and gets to the where an attacker is going before the attacker even knows he’s going there. Sam’s ability to see things unfold before they happen afford him an extra step or half-step to cut off angles and put in dominant hits - couple that with an immense motor and you get the machine that is Mr. Sam Underhill. 

Henry Slade

The most experienced player in the England team for this matchup, Slade’s grace and skill on the ball is a thing of beauty. While many sides have gravitated in recent years to a powerful running 13, Slade is a deviation from that trend. While the Exeter man certainly has the footwork and size to get his meters in the middle, it’s his deft passing that makes the magic happen. Look for the way he manipulates defenders before sliding perfectly weighted passes onto runners hitting gaps. 

Besides his work as a second conductor, Slade also has a knack for those game-changing moments of brilliance that make or break a contest. The man is a pleasure to watch, and he makes the game easier for those playing around him. Expect another classy outing from the outside center against the Eagles.