For me there is every reason to look forward to 2021 and it starts with the huge challenge of trying to help an amateur player, George Hardy, make the leap to the professional game within 12 months.
George has made an impression on me at Wanstead RFC that few in the game I have worked with or watched have. You would have to go back more than 20 years to the last time I recommended a player to a club for them to take a serious look at.
Only twice have I tipped a club about a player. On those occasions, they were Rob Thirlby and Danny Grewcock to Saracens, so hopefully, George can make it three out of three.
The fact he spent six years out of the game is one of the reasons I think he can make it; from the first two training sessions at Wanstead, I attended I could identity the ability he had and the potential he has. Wanstead were in London 2 North East last season but he can play at a far higher level and who knows where he could be in 12 months’ time?
I was brought down to Wanstead by my co-coach at St Albans School, Jeremy Walmsley – a New Zealander who loves his rugby – whom I have worked with for three or four years. Jeremy has been at Wanstead since May. He brought me in soon after and we started doing some socially distanced coaching in the summer. There is a nice, tight-knit feeling among the squad.
Denne historien er fra December 27, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 27, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
