Cardall hopes cup run leads to league starts
TIM Cardall is closing in on 50 appearances for Wasps after joining three years ago, but the second row’s priority is establishing himself in the starting line-up.
The recruit from Nottingham has been involved in six of Wasps’ seven Premiership matches this season, but has started only one of them. Last season he made three league starts and came off the bench in six matches.
“I have been involved in a few games this season but I have not had as many minutes as I would have liked,” said Cardal who has been one of the more experienced hands in Wasps’ Premiership Cup encounters this month.
“Being named in the 23 for all but one has been good, but I want to keep pressing and the Premiership Cup gives me the chance to show the coaches what I am about.
“It is hard because I have very good players ahead of me who are going well and Joe Launchbury, right, and James Gaskell will be coming back into the mix. It is about making the most of my appearances and learning from the great players around me.”
Cardall, 24, spent a year with Northampton’s academy before going to Nottingham Trent University from where he joined Nottingham and gained valuable experience in the Championship.
“I did not get much love at Northampton because the competition was massive,” he said. “I was 30 kilos lighter than I am now and ended up in National Three. Then the opportunity came to go to university and a contract with Nottingham and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. “The experience of the Championship was so valuable. It was men’s rugby, dark days at Lady Bay doing live mauls and pickand-gos. I would highly recommend any young tight five forward going to play in it.
“The Championship needs greater exposure. It is a big step up to the Premiership, but only in terms of the pace of a game. The Championship is on a par with the Premiership in terms of physicality and the packs go hard at each other, but the tempo is at a completely different level.
“I just want to get as many minutes as I can at Wasps and get close to 50 appearances by the end of the season (he is currently on 37). That would be a massive achievement. I have my work-ons and will keep trying to impress.”