Coleman’s ready for battle with his old rival Etzebeth
ADAM Coleman will be up against a familiar foe when London Irish take on Toulon in the quarter-final of the European Challenge Cup at Stade Mayol today – Eben Etzebeth.
The 30-year-old Australia second row, who joined Irish after the 2019 World Cup and is partnered in the boilerhouse by another Wallaby, Rob Simmons, knows all about the South African having played against him in Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship.
“I have come up against him a few times,” said Coleman. “He is a world class player who has been at the top of the game for a long time. Toulon have a very big pack but they also have flair behind. We like to throw the ball around and it should be a great spectacle.”
Irish’s free-flowing style suits Coleman and their results this season have looked more like those of a
Super Rugby side than one in England’s Premiership, not least last weekend’s 42-42 draw at home to Wasps when they had looked out of it with 13 minutes to go.
“The boys here enjoy their rugby and move the ball so it has not been too dissimilar to Australia,” said Coleman, who joined from Melbourne Rebels. “Playing in the Premiership has been an invaluable experience for me, coming up against opponents who play differently.
“When opportunities to come across the ditch arise, you make the move because it is best for your family. You travel a lot more in Super Rugby and the huge amount of flying takes its toll on your body. If you are fortunate enough to play in the Rugby Championship, you go around the world twice in one year.
“By the time you get to the end of the season, you are so tired you sleep for a few days. Being with Irish means I spend a lot more time with my family. I have three young kids and it means a lot to me.”
Coleman has no plans to return to Australia. “I am enjoying my rugby here and that goes a long way,” he said. “I certainly have no thoughts about retiring. The best thing about living in England is not the weather or the beaches but the accessibility to Europe.
“Australia is isolated, but here you are an hour away from different countries and languages. Back home, you can fly for five hours and still be in the same country.”
The last of Coleman’s 38 caps came against England in the 2019 World Cup quarter-final in Oita. He came on as a replacement in the 40-16 defeat as Australia’s opponents marched to the final.
England’s form has not been as impressive since but Coleman believes they will be a force again in next year’s tournament which is being hosted by France.
“If you look at how competitive the Premiership is they will be a very good team at the
World Cup,” he said. “The league is up there with the best in the world and what has impressed me is the structure here, not least
the tiered academy system.
“You only have to look at London Irish where we have a good mix of youth and experience. Future stars are coming through and we could not be more proud of these boys. The likes of Tom Pearson, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Henry Arundell and Will Joseph have really stoked the team this season.”
Coleman made his first start for Irish at home to Toulon in a Challenge Cup group match at the end of 2019. The sides had met in France the previous week and the Top 14 side recorded a double, but since then the Exiles have won in Agen and Pau and are not fazed by a trip to a club who won the Champions Cup three times in the 2010s.
“We have improved significantly since then,” said Coleman. “We have shown this season that we can beat anyone and we have been building consistency. Declan Kidney (the club’s director of rugby) said after the comeback against Wasps that you cannot coach heart.
“It will be a clash of styles in Toulon and it is a challenge we are excited by. They had a slow start to the season but have picked up momentum. We are going down there focused on what we can bring to the game.”