YOUNG GUNS
It was back in midSeptember, on the morning of Exeter’s home game with Sale, that Sean Lonsdale got the call from Rob Baxter. Chiefs’ esteemed rugby director was straight to the point: “Sean, you’re starting!” Lonsdale’s immediate reaction?“Oh, s**t!”Lonsdale need not have worried.
Despite lining up in the No.7 shirt against England openside Tom Curry, who featured in the Sale back row that day alongside Jono Ross and Josh Beaumont, he and his partners-in-crime Don Armand and Tom Lawday did the job
Lonsdale, 21, recalls: “That was one hell of a day! I’d been on the bench for our opening two matches and was due to be on the bench again, but Matt Kvesic went down ill and I was chucked in at the deep end.
“I can tell you, my heart rate leapt up when Rob told me! I was very nervous at first but then you remind yourself that, actually, it’s just another game of rugby and when you get on the pitch, the nerves disappear. I got stuck in, played 50-odd minutes and we won 3518 with a bonus point. It doesn’t get much better.”
Since then, the energetic Lonsdale has been a regular feature of Exeter’s 23 – due reward for his progress since taking an unusual route to Devon in 2016.
Born in Manchester but brought up in north Wales after his parents moved to Prestatyn when he was three, Lonsdale began playing junior rugby for Rhyl FC before establishing himself as a hot prospect at Rydal Penrhos School, in Colwyn Bay. From there he was picked up by WRU-sponsored RGC 1404, who he helped win promotion to the Welsh Premiership.
So, how did he end up at Exeter? “Phil Davies was our coach at the time and he recommended I get an agent,” Lonsdale said.
“From that I ended up at Exeter, in a different country, but I was so fortunate to get the opportunity at a leading Premiership club.
“I enjoyed my rugby at RGC and going there from Rydal was pretty good timing for me because I played for their U16s and 18s before getting into the first team and winning promotion. In fact, my last game there secured that, so it was nice to be a part of.”
A regular in Exeter’s A-team before this season, dual-registration has also played a key part in Lonsdale’s progress. He explained: “I spent some time at Taunton initially – a National Two club – and their forwards coach, Chris Brown, was excellent. Then I went to Plymouth in National One and worked closely with Kieran Hallett and Julian Salvi.
“Julian was defence coach at Plymouth and now he’s doing the same job at Chiefs, so that’s been really useful and to have someone with his experience gives you great insight. Dave Dennis has been a big influence for me as well and after quite a bit of game time this season, I’m looking to really kick-on.”
NEALE HARVEY