Mapletoft backing Boyce to grab his big chance

SHOCK England call-up Lewis Boyce has all the attributes to succeed but must prove himself quickly at the highest level, says Harlequins head coach Mark Mapletoft.

Loosehead prop Boyce, a product of the Yorkshire Carnegie forward factory who starred for England’s U20s in their 2016 Junior World Cup win, has been drafted into England’s Six Nations squad in the absence of Joe Marler, Ellis Genge, Matt Mullan and Beno Obano.

Mapletoft expects Marler to be recalled immediately once his two-week suspension is over, meaning Boyce, 21, with just one Premiership start for Quins to his name, has just two matches against Italy and Wales to establish his reputation as a Test-quality prop.

Mapletoft told TRP: “Lewis has not been thoroughly exposed at a high level yet, but given the situation you can see where England are coming from.

“He’s come through the 20s programme, which is one of the best in the world, and he’s done well whenever he’s played for us this season. Eddie Jones has got a lot of looseheads out, so Lewis has earned an opportunity which he really needs to take.

“It’s very early days for Lewis and he’s had very few setbacks so far in his career. Everything’s been on an upward curve with him. But you learn more about players when they can’t push on or some pretty big roadblocks are placed in front of them.

“You see how they react and that’s what Lewis is about to face now, but he’s aggressive, very good in the tackle and he’s happy to promote himself as a ballcarrier. He has very good leg drive and he’s a very good defender.”

Mapletoft added: “A year ago Sam Simmonds wasn’t getting into the Cornish Pirates team when he was on loan there from Exeter, so you learn about guys when they come up against these challenges and find ways around them.

“Lewis is a very likeable young man and we’ll learn a lot more about him over the next few weeks as Marler and others come back into contention.”