Golden age of Quins kids
WHEN Kyle Sinckler ran onto the Twickenham pitch to win his first England cap against South Africa, he became the latest outstanding talent to be delivered onto the international stage by the Harlequins production line.
Quins had six players in the matchday 23 and with five coming through the club’s academy system – they are justly proud of their ability to not only spot talent, but ensure it reaches full potential.
John Kingston, the Quins director of rugby, acknowledges the recognition Sinckler has received will confirm the club’s ability to fast-track players into the Test arena.
He said: “It is a selling point for us and without being arrogant, there must be something good about our coaching group because we have shown an ability to take players from a base and turn them into England internationals.
“Young players see a pathway with Quins leading to England.”
While Joe Launchbury was released because Quins didn’t think he would make the grade, the Wasps captain really is an exception.
Quins have a successful network of talent scouts and a system that fast tracks players into the first team. That was seen in midweek when the Maori All Blacks defeated Quins 26-10 with the home side featuring a number of academy players including Gabriel Ibitoye, 18, in a back division also containing two England U20 players, fellow centre Harry Cheeseman and wing Sam Aspland-Robinson.
They are all hoping to follow Sinckler, Joe Marchant and Jack Clifford into the England squad.
Ibitoye is an England U18 wing and will have never faced the kind of pace and power delivered by the Maori backs, particularly in the first half. However, much to the credit of all the youngsters wearing the famous Quins colours, they refused to buckle.
Kingston takes great pride and comfort in the knowledge that his need to buy in players is reduced because of so many home grown alternatives.
He said: “You have to be professional in the way you go about identifying talent and character is a big thing as well. Anyone can spot a good player on the pitch but you need to know what they can add to the group.
“I‘ve spent a lot of time over the last six months looking at the recruitment process. I want to see the colour of people’s eyes. I want to know what their Mum and Dad do, their sisters and brothers. You can learn an awful lot by looking at background and you can find out if they have that little something extra in their attitude.
“That is why giving the young players an opportunity against the Maori was important. If someone is going to take a backward step and be intimidated then okay, but you don’t want to see it again.
“Our young players will remember that game in 40 or 50 years’ time. That moment when they faced the Haka and while it wasn’t the All Blacks, it was the nearest you can get.”
Of the six Harlequins in the England match squad against South Africa, five came through the club’s Academy: Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw, Joe Marler, Marland Yarde and Sinckler. Danny Care started with Leeds.