Symons: Joe will grow Down Under
The Rugby Paper|May 17, 2020
JOE Marchant’s Super Rugby experience with the Auckland Blues will lay the platform for him to become an England regular, says Harlequins lock Matt Symons.
NEALE HARVEY
Symons: Joe will grow Down Under

Marchant, 23, travelled Down Under in December and impressed in his first five games for the Blues before the season was interrupted by the pandemic.

With Super Rugby’s New Zealand franchises set to resume play on June 13, the midfielder will see more game time before returning to Harlequins in July.

Marchant’s move to the southern hemisphere was approved by England head coach Eddie Jones.

“We only had a brief conversation, but he was really supportive,” Marchant said. “He thought it would be a good idea, that the experience of playing on the other side of the world and that kind of rugby would be really good

“Everyone just goes for it here, the play is a lot looser and there is a big emphasis on keeping the ball alive. There was a ten-minute period in a pre-season game when the ball was constantly in play. I almost died. It was fun, but it was so much running.

Denne historien er fra May 17, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 17, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
All my energy is going into Beziers
The Rugby Paper

All my energy is going into Beziers

IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Fylde left to count cost of the cards
The Rugby Paper

Fylde left to count cost of the cards

LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
The Rugby Paper

O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings

EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
The Rugby Paper

It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham

PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Bristol hit heights to take down champions
The Rugby Paper

Bristol hit heights to take down champions

BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Good to see the Eagles soaring again
The Rugby Paper

Good to see the Eagles soaring again

THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
The Rugby Paper

Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash

FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
My body is telling me to quit, saysEvans
The Rugby Paper

My body is telling me to quit, saysEvans

WALES are about to be hit by another loss despite spending the final weekend of the autumn series all washed up with nobody to play.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Vermeulen excited to visit old friends
The Rugby Paper

Vermeulen excited to visit old friends

EXETER start their Champions Cup campaign away in South Africa on Saturday, but Jacques Vermeulen will feel very much at home.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Scotland deserve fair share of Lions
The Rugby Paper

Scotland deserve fair share of Lions

WE MAY be exaggerating here, but not by much: since the wonderful Tom Smith made the last of his half-dozen consecutive international appearances in the red jersey of his dreams, as opposed to the blue one, it has been easier to spot a Twickenham chief executive in a food bank than clap eyes on a Test Lion from Scotland.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024