Can’t pass, can’t catch and I’m not quick... but I CAN tackle
SAM UNDERHILL ON WHY ENGLAND CALLED HIM UP
SAM UNDERHILL is a hard- hitter in more ways than one. Bath’s new flanker is poised to become a thunderous defensive force for his club and for England — while studying hard for a politics degree.
The 21-year- old, who has already made his Test debut, has been identified by head coach Eddie Jones as the openside who the national team have been waiting for — a specialist No 7 of supreme potential.
But Underhill, like Saracens’ Maro Itoje, is pursuing sporting success as well as studying for a degree in politics. He has switched from an economics course at Cardiff University to a subject which offers greater fascination.
In these troubled times, there are endless hot topics for debate and Underhill’s views on the USA, the land of his birth, demonstrate how his horizons extend beyond the rugby field.
‘America is fascinating,’ he said. ‘I find it interesting how polarised people seem to be. There are such contrasting and conflicting groups with very different opinions.
‘There are those issues in the UK but they probably aren’t brought to light as much because we don’t really have guns. It seems a more extreme environment over there. I don’t want to pick sides but people seem poorly informed and irrational.
‘The USA seems too bigg to be run by a central government.ent. It’s enormous. There are too many different groups s and cultures.
‘One of the reasons America is so polarised is that people don’t see other cultures. It’s hard to hate something you understand. It should be compulsory for Americans to travell outside the country.’
Underhill speaks with greatreat assurance for one so young.ng. He was born in the States, but only because his father was stationed there, as a long- serving RAF engineer. The family moved to Peterborough when Sam was still very young, before eventually returning to their roots in Gloucestershire.
‘My dad is very military,’ said Underhill. ‘He is extremely well-organised but he would tell you that absolutely none of that has rubbed off on me. He’d probably like me to be a certain way.
‘He says he used to be exactly like me before he joined the military, but I’m not going to enlist just to find out if it would have that impact on me!’
Underhill did not start playing until relatively late but soon worked his way into the England age-group system. Club progress was not so smooth. He was at Gloucester, but ended up on loan at Cinderford in National League One.
Wondering if a professional fprofessional career might elelude him, he went to CaCardiff for an economics degrdegree, where he was spottespotted and signed by the Ospreys. His career took off with an epic defensive shift that helped the Ospreys stun Clermont Auvergne two seasons ago.
His own summary of his abilities is a masterpiece of self- deprecation. ‘I suppose I’ve got a penchant for tackling,’ he said. ‘ Some guys are really quick. I was never one of those guys.
‘Some guys are naturally really good with the ball. I probably wasn’t one of those guys either. I can’t catch and pass. I like tackling, it’s that simple.’
England have been looking for a specialist openside since the days of Neil Back, who last played for his country in 2003. Having made an impressive Test debut in Argentina in June, Underhill is aware of the significance of the role but also tries to dispel a few misconceptions about it. Asked if he understands why the position generates so much English angst, he said: ‘I get it — kind of. In the southern hemisphere, you’ve had guys like David Pocock, Michael Hooper and Richie McCaw, who are key guys for awesome teams. They’ve all worn the seven shirt. So every country has said, “Ooh, we want one of them”. ‘It seems to have been the perception that there was no one there who could do it but if you look at what (James) Haskell and (Chris) Robshaw did in that position, they were awesome. ‘Eddie wants someone who changes games, whether you’re a jackaler, a bighitter, or the world’s busiest player. He’s after something a bit different. No one is going to become David Pocock overnight. David Pocock didn’t become David Pocock overnight — he worked hard on what he was good at.’ Tomorrow in Coventry, Underhill will be up against Haskell as Bath face Wasps at the Ricoh Arena. Both will seek to make a statement before England’s autumn series against Argentina, Australia and Samoa. For Underhill, making strong statements is already second nature.