Gone too soon, a young man destined to be England’s No 1

CAN it really be 20 years since young Harlequins and England scrum-half Nick Duncombe passed away – Friday, February 14, 2003 – suddenly and shockingly in a matter of hours with meningitis while on a mid-season break in Lanzarote?

Just turned 21, he had already overcome a broken neck to win two England caps and become a key member of the England Sevens side in which Clive Woodward had invested much importance. Having watched him extensively at age group level and on the Sevens circuit, I can assure you Duncombe was a sure fire star of the future. No question.

What sort of player was he? Razor sharp, SAS fit, not a spare ounce on his frame, very quick, tough, a dog in defence, quick pass, spiky but not volatile or hot headed. His kicking game was a long way from being developed but there was time aplenty to work on that. He had been a professional for barely two years after leaving RGS High Wycombe.

I wouldn’t be the first to wonder what glories may have lain ahead. England were awash with class scrum-halves at the time – Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall to name but three – but I fancy Duncombe would have found a way through eventually to become England’s first choice.

Bracken was moving towards the end of his career, Dawson retired in 2006 and, although Gomarsall enjoyed a remarkable Indian summer to his career and answered the call for the 2007 Cup, I believe that, from the moment Dawson stepped aside, Duncombe would have been the main man. He was the obvious successor to the great triumvirate.

Aged 24, he would have been approaching his prime having learned at the feet of the very best England have ever produced. In due course he would have been challenged by Danny Care and Ben Youngs but my guess is Duncombe would have finished with 80-plus caps and featured prominently in at least two World Cup campaigns.

The road not taken can be cruel and unbearably poignant in the case of premature death through illness or accident. We think of Duncan Edwards, Lillian Board, Ben Hollioake and others. English rugby was denied a major talent and a family a beloved son. He is commemorated by that statue as you enter The Stoop. Carpe Diem, it proclaims, and that’s exactly what Nick Duncombe did throughout his short life.