GUNS YOUNG
You could say Exeter tight-head Jack Owlett faces stiff competition.
Harry Williams is vying with Dan Cole to be England’s first choice; Tomas Francis started for Wales in the Six Nations and has 31 caps; Greg Holmes is a 27-cap Wallaby who played in the 2015 World Cup final against New Zealand; and Moray Low is a Scotland Test veteran who plays either side of the scrum.
Ordinarily, Owlett might take one look at this array of stars and think, ‘Not for me’. However, Owlett is no ordinary player for, at 23, he is among a rare breed of late developers who chose to complete their university studies before committing to the hardnosed world of full-time professional rugby, as the Londoner did last year after gaining a BA in business management.
A former head boy at Millfield School, Owlett took himself to Exeter University four years ago, where he became involved with the Chiefs and, through his maternal grandmother, attracted the interest of Scotland’s regional selectors who enlisted him for their U20s.
Seven caps and a trip to the 2015 U20s World Cup in Italy followed, but not until this season has he taken the full plunge.
Owlett said: “Going to university was just the normal thing to do and, being perfectly honest, there wasn’t really the option of rugby at that time.
“Despite Millfield being a feeder club for Bath I wasn’t picked up by them and although it was always a dream to take rugby as far as I could, University allowed me the chance to mature and get those qualifications under my belt.
“In my first year at university I started getting involved in some outreach games for Exeter, then in my second year it got a bit more serious with some A-games. I then got involved with Scotland and was understudy to Zander Fagerson at the Junior World Cup. I didn’t get too much of a look in there with him doing so well but, nonetheless, it was good to be in that environment.”
Owlett continued to serve an apprentice with Chiefs while going on loan to Plymouth Albion, where he has since excelled. And AngloWelsh Cup appearances for Chiefs last season heralded a breakthrough campaign this time when he played in the recent final victory over Bath.
“Being part of that success was huge and it felt a whole lot better than last year when we lost the final to Leicester,” Owlett said. “What made it even more special was the entire Chiefs squad turned out to watch and we all really buy into watching the other teams whenever we can.”
Now comes the onerous task of earning a Premiership debut. Owlett adds: “Harry Williams is a massive inspiration to me, having come to Chiefs as an unknown Championship player and really made a name with England. Franny is away with Wales as well so there will be opportunities. I just need to take my chances, become the best player I can be and push my career on.”