YOUNG GUNS
It takes a certain level of chutzpah to swap Bath’s academy for Wasps. However, when former Millfield schoolboy Gabriel Oghre was presented with the opportunity to do exactly that last summer, the England U20s front row protégé jumped at the chance to join Wasps’ exciting stable of hookers and come under the tutelage of former England No.2 Andy Titterrell.
The move appears to have paid off handsomely, with Oghre making a rapid ascension into Wasps’ first team fold as well as featuring for England U20s in the current Six Nations.
Oghre, a budding midfielder with Bristol Rovers before his body shape dictated a switch to rugby aged 15, when he began his new ovalball career with the Walcot Old Boys, explained: “I just felt there were more opportunities for me at Wasps. Bath had lots of hookers and I’m really thankful I made the move because getting to work with Andy Titterrell has been massive.
“I can’t stress enough what he’s done for me this year. He’s a hugely experienced former international hooker and when you’ve got someone who’s played in your position at the highest level working with you every day, it can only improve your game. He’s always talking to me, going through clips and working hard on my throwing, which accelerates my progress.”
Oghre added: “A massive target for me coming to Wasps was to get some first team game time and luckily I’ve done that. Dai Young and Andy gave me a chance in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and although it was tough because a lot of first team guys were rested and we took a few beatings, it’s always good to get those opportunities to show what you can do against stronger opposition. “You get older, more experienced hookers who see a young guy like me and try to give you a hard time, but it’s a non-negotiable for me to front-up and that’s what I’ve tried to do.” Oghre’s learning has continued at National One side Ampthill, where he has worked with another long-serving Test hooker in Tonga’s Aleki Lutui. He also relishes the competition afforded by Wasps’ galaxy of hooking stars, adding: “You can’t go wrong practising scrums with Aleki and it’s great to play men’s rugby, so I’ll try to play more for Ampthill once the Six Nation ends. “I’m getting the best of all worlds at the moment because, aside from my England U20s involvement, I get to work with the great hookers at Wasps, who’ve all got different attributes. “Ashley Johnson is a real powerful hooker who can play in the back row; Tom Cruse is very dynamic, which is the thing I’d like to add to my game; Tommy Taylor’s a bit of a hybrid, who’s dynamic as well as powerful; and we’ve got TJ Harris as well. It’s good for me to take bits of all of their games and while selection is down to the coaches, I want to throw my hat in the mix.”