Nowell MkII enjoying his breakthrough at Harlequins
COMBATIVE Harlequins wing Cadan Murley aims to build on an impressive first Premiership season by proving he can be southwest London’s answer to Jack Nowell.
Murley, who, like Exeter and England star Nowell, hails from Penzance & Newlyn, was handed a first team chance by Quins boss Paul Gustard in early November and has proved an influential presence in a side that has rocketed up to third in the Premiership.
There are striking similarities between 19-year-old Murley and Nowell, neither of whom are the biggest wingers but are dynamic through the gain-line.
Murley – who stands just 5ft 9ins (1.80m) but is deceptively powerful in among the heavy traffic – told The
Rugby Paper: “We’re both from Cornwall so Jack’s a guy I really look up to.
“I try to watch his games as much as I can because we are quite similar; we’re not the tallest but we pack a punch in what we do around the carry and tackle area.
“I just try and bring as much physicality as I can when I’m carrying and I always run with intent. I always try to beat the first tackler and get an offload away and, like Jack, I like to get off my wing and work hard around my No.10s like Marcus Smith.
“Marcus and I have played together for a few years so getting off him or the 12 works quite well for me and it’s been great to get a run in the team this season.”
Nowell initially made his name as a Junior World Cup winner in 2013 and, having been named in the current England U20s squad, Murley aims to follow suit.
After previously being capped at U17s and 18s level, Murley said: “I got an U20s chance against Scotland last year which was a pretty tough night in freezing conditions, but hopefully I can get a few more games and we can achieve some success.
“I enjoyed my time with the U17s and 18s and (former age group coaches) Russell Earnshaw and John Fletcher pretty much shaped the way I play; they told me to be brave, try anything and not to hide behind anything or be scared about what I do.”
Murley, who cut his teeth at Esher last season under the guidance of former Quins wing Tom Williams, is equally keen to spearhead a Harlequins title charge.
He added: “Ever since Paul Gustard came here last summer, he’s said our ambition is to win everything we can, even in training. It’s all about winning and that’s what we intend to do – my challenge is to try and stay in this side.
“Tim Visser will be coming back from injury and we are very different wingers with him having a few inches in height over me, but I’ll just keep putting in performances on the park which will hopefully be enough to keep me in this team.”