Those under his command include a trio capped by Wales, Rhys Carre, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Owen Lane. The same can be said of another trio from the other side, England forwards Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Nick Isiekwe.
Within three seasons of losing that schoolboy international by two points, the scrum-half from Llandovery College had moved from heading his adoptive country’s youngest under-age team to helping his native England win the Junior Six Nations and reach the final of the Junior World Cup. It would appear to be just a matter of time before his role-reversal of that occasion at Neath turns full circle.
Instead of fizzing the passes out off either hand for Wales against England, he will be firing them out in the opposite direction. Saturday’s Red Rose attempt to knock Wales off their improbable perch and deny them the most surprising of Triple Crowns may come a bit too soon but no English player can have had a Welsh education to match Randall’s.
That is some claim considering some of those who have gone before him like Stuart Barnes (Bassaleg School and Newport), John Scott (Cardiff), Julian White (Bridgend), Tony Swift, Mark Keyworth (both Swansea), Colin ‘After Shave’ Smart, Jon Callard (both Newport), Ben Morgan (Scarlets) and the Vunipola brothers (Pontypool).
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
