YOUNG GUNS
Newcastle Falcons have endured a dismal campaign in the Premiership but tyro hooker Jacob Oliver believes the future is bright in the North East as he hopes to follow fellow academy graduates by breaking into the first team.
The 19-year-old played a key role in England U20s’ victorious Six Nations campaign with Oliver coming off the bench during victories over Italy, Wales, Scotland and France, while also starting the draw with Ireland.
A tumultuous winless campaign for Newcastle in the Premiership has resulted in a change in the coaching box as head coach Alex Codling was replaced by hardnosed former Sale and Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond.
Diamond has released a batch of youngsters into the first team environment, including 20-year-old U20s graduate Louie Johnson, who has starred in the Premiership and Europe despite his side’s overall shortcomings.
And of course Oliver hopes to follow suit.
He told The Rugby Paper: “It’s been really good which isn’t what people probably expect to hear. It’s actually been a really positive environment. The lads have been working really hard since Dimes (Steve Diamond) has come in and changed our ambitions for the rest of the season. Things have started to look up for the club and there’s a few lads in the academy that have been getting chances to impress coaches which for a young player like myself is what you want to see in terms of players getting rewarded. The future looks bright for Newcastle.”
Oliver only started playing hooker in year 11 as the 5ft 11ins, 15st 8lbs former scrum-half switched to the forwards thanks to the wisdom of former Northampton Saints nine Lee Dixon.
He added: “I played all over at the start, started off at inside centre and then did a bit of back row. I even played a bit of scrum-half when I first joined Newcastle Falcons and it wasn’t until year 11 during Covid when Lee Dixon had just joined my school as head of rugby, and he told me he saw me more as a hooker which came at a good time. I had time to hone my skills, then played lower sixth and upper sixth at hooker.
“The set-piece is massive for me. Playing at hooker, being able to throw in at the line out and scrummage is imperative if I want to get selected. They are both massive work on’s and a real focus of mine. Jamie Blamire has been great at the club but all of the hookers like Charlie Maddison, Bryan Byrne have been really inclusive.”
A title winning campaign with England meant a great deal but Oliver has already set his sights on making this summer’s World Championship squad for the showpiece age-grade tournament in South Africa.
“It’s been an amazing experience for me,” said Oliver. “I wasn’t expecting to be involved in the group but I had a great time with a great set of lads. Being able to get more game time with the boys I’d be training with in the last couple of months was fantastic.
“It’s been touched on quite a bit before but the way we were able to gel together as a group was just amazing. Hopefully I can put myself in a good position for selection in the World Cup warm up games and then graft towards the tournament itself.”