YOUNG GUNS
JAMES KENNY EXETER CHIEFS LOOSEHEAD PROP
It’s been a stellar year for James Kenny. From getting his first taste of men’s rugby at Taunton earlier this season, the former Kingsbridge RFC loosehead has gained an Anglo-Welsh Cup winners medal with Exeter, earned a place in their senior academy and capped things off by being called-up for the U20s World Championship by England in place of the injured Toby Trinder. Not bad for a lad who’s just turned 19.
“Keen, hungry and so easy to coach,” is how Taunton forwards guru Chris Brown describes Kenny, adding: “He’s bright, smart and is the sort of kid who just wants to work hard and improve all the time. He’s going to do stuff in this game and he’ll do it pretty quickly.”
Kenny is unlikely to feature in today’s World Cup final. Behind the scenes, however, he embodies a close-knit England squad effort. Kenny said: “I was told before the Premiership final that I was on standby, so to actually get the call was a great surprise and even though I’m still waiting for my debut, just being part of it makes you want to have another go next year.
“Knowing it’s within arm’s reach makes me want to work harder for it and being in a squad that has reached the final has been brilliant. I’ve just tried to play my part by helping the guys in training and whatever happens now I’ll go back to Exeter with some great memories.”
Great memories are coming thick and fast for Kenny, who came off the bench for Exeter when they defeated Bath in April’s AngloWelsh Cup final. He said: “I was involved in the Pool stages and then to play in the final was brilliant. It’s a day I’ll never forget and with a few of the senior boys leaving it was great to give them a proper send-off with some silverware.
“Guys like Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade are good role models for me and they made their names in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, so that competition, or whatever replaces it now, is a really important part of Exeter’s season. To be part of that success and then get accepted into the senior academy, it really pushes me on to compete next season.”
Kenny doesn’t have far to look for positional guidance, adding: “Alec Hepburn is a massive example for me, especially the way he plays, his carrying and allround game. He’s one of the people I go to first to talk about the game, our position and certain aspects of it. Moray Low’s another I look up to for the way he conducts himself and keeps himself injury-free.”
Cutting his teeth in men’s rugby has also been a highlight for Kenny, who said: “I can’t praise Taunton enough and (rugby director) Tony Yapp and Chris Brown have been massive influences. To have confidence in an 18-year-old in National Two was brilliant and although I got duffed-up a few times, what they’ve done for me this season is exceptional.”
“Alec Hepburn is a massive example for me, his carrying and all-round game”