Olowofela making case for more games at HQ
ULTRA-CONFIDENT Leicester flyer Jordan Olowofela aims to prove why last month’s England call-up was more than just a flash in the pan.
A five-try hero of England U20s’ runners-up place at the Junior World Cup in June, Tigers academy product Olowofela replaced clubmate Manu Tuilagi at England’s recent training camp.
After featuring in five of Leicester’s six Premiership matches to date and notching his first top-flight try against Northampton at Twickenham last weekend, the determined back three player now has a taste for the big stage. Olowofela, 20, told The
Rugby Paper: “Getting called up by Eddie Jones to that England training was massive. I didn’t see it coming at all but Eddie said he’d been impressed with me and told me to keep doing what I’m doing.
“Wing’s a very competitive position for England but there are a lot of big games coming up and if I keep playing well, who knows?
“It’s been a big step up from the U20s to playing in the Premiership but, after making my debut against Bath at Twickenham in April, to go there again last week and get my first Premiership try was pretty unbelievable.
“With playing in the U20s final in front of a crazy French crowd and all these other experiences with Leicester I’m getting, it’s given me a taste for it now and I’ll just keep working hard and see how far it takes me this season.”
Olowofela’s cause is being aided by the willingness of interim Leicester head coach Geordan Murphy, below, to blood academy players – a failing of the club in recent years.
Fellow development squad members Sam Lewis, Joe Heyes, Ben White and Tom Hardwick have also had their chances, with Olowofela explaining: “Geordan’s brought a lot of younger guys in to play, which has been good. “If you’re training well and playing well, why not give them a shot? I’ve been lucky with a few injuries but once you get your opportunity you’ve got to take it. I think I’ve done that and I’ve just tried to carry on doing what I did for the U20s at the World Cup.”
Olowofela, whose twin brother Ryan is a member of the England 7s squad,
does not lack confidence. With Friday’s crucial Champions Cup showdown against Scarlets looming, he added: “It’s a massive responsibility playing for Leicester and it’s a big club with big ambitions, but I don’t feel the pressure from our fans.
“You try to take in these occasions while concentrating on your job and I’m certainly not overwhelmed by games like this.
“I’ve played in front of big, hostile crowds – especially that one against France in June – and I’ve got good guys around me like Jonny May and Telusa Veainu, who help me a lot in training along with Geordan and Anthony Allen.
“I’m enjoying this season so far and just want to build on it.”