EXPERIENCE AT THE WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP
“It was an unforgettable experience, being in South Africa. As a team we would have hoped to have achieved higher than a fourth place finish because we had a great squad. Going into next year I am fortunate enough to have the other year with the Under 20’s so it will be exciting going into next year and going for that top spot. We want to push France more than we did this year because playing them in the semi-finals we didn’t do too well and it was the same story in the Six Nations. So hopefully we can re-write that and go again. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I loved it. It was a great experience and South Africa is an amazing place.
“Coming off the back of it minutes-wise I wasn’t lucky to have got as many minutes as I would have hoped. That is out of my control but I definitely wanted to come into pre-season and show that I had kicked on as player in terms of my decision-making. I have really tried to work on my handling and ball skills. I have tried to become more of a threat in attack. Hopefully in these next few Prem Cup games I can show that. I am buzzing to start in those games.”
THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRESS IN THE PREM CUP
“That’s the plan. The back-row competition at Sale is crazy. Probably one of the best back-rows in the league so it is going to be difficult for me to play regularly but hopefully I can hold my hand up and show Alex Sanderson I am here and I want to play. This weekend and the games in the Prem Cup coming up are massive for me. The competition in the back-row is healthy. At number seven we have Sam Dugdale, Tom and Ben Curry, some of the best sevens in the world. They are great guys who you can learn from and they are happy to help me whenever. They are great role models for me.”
WORKING WITH THE LIKES OF THE CURRY AND DU PREEZ TWINS
“It’s massive working with those guys. It was a difficult experience coming in last year, coming from the Under-18’s going up into the seniors. It took me a few weeks to get my feet on the ground but those guys really helped me find my confidence and show what I am about. They are happy to answer any questions and if they have seen something in training, for example Cobus Wiese spotted something in my scrummaging which I put into practice today and it made a huge difference. I couldn’t ask for anything more from them.”
THE CURRY TWINS ACTING AS ROLE MODELS
“They were a massive inspiration for me. I didn’t come into the academy until I was 15/16. When you see what they are doing, you see them living your dream and doing what you want to do in the future it’s massive. But they are genetically different to me, they have got better strengths than me. We all go at our own pace. It would be nice to do what they have done but we will see how I go this year and hopefully I can do the same.”
DO YOU FEEL ANY EXTERNAL PRESSURE WITH ALL THE HYPE?
“I feel just the pressure I put on myself. It is quite easy to silence the noise. I cannot control what people say or think about me or where I will end up. I need to do things myself and I think I can silence the noise. But sometimes I put too much pressure on myself and I have high expectations of myself. I always went to be the best on the pitch and people to say ‘Wow, look at this kid. He is really holding his hand up here and can be the next big thing’. Sometimes I think I need to just simplify the game because it is a simple game. I think that is my key. Not to overthink because that is when the pressure gets to me. That is self-inflicted. I shouldn’t be doing that to myself really.”
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A LEADER?
“I would like to think so. I think my leadership is a bit different to others. I like to lead by example. I like to hear others speak first before. If I need to speak I will do so but if I don’t need to I won’t. To get that opportunity to captain the Under-20’s was massive. I really didn’t expect it coming in. It was the first game in the warm-ups for the Championships. I was chuffed that the coaches gave me that opportunity. Hopefully I will get selected next year and really kick on and maybe become even more of a leader in that group next year.”
EXCITEMENT FOR THIS WEEKEND
“I’m buzzing. It is going to be a new challenge playing against Bedford. These Championship teams are going to come heavy on these Premiership Rugby Cup games to show their worth and that they are good enough to play against the Premiership teams. As a young group of players it is a great opportunity and I can’t wait to show what I am about.”
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