New-boy Roots has his eye on NZ return
ONE OF England’s Test debutants this year has a big incentive to make the summer tour to New Zealand – he would be returning to his roots.
Exeter’s Aucklandborn back rower Ethan Roots found himself lining up to face Italy in Rome at the start of the Six Nations less than five months after pulling on a Chief jersey for the first time.
The 26-year old arrived at Sandy Park from the Ospreys after spending two years in Wales to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional player having played four minutes for the Crusaders as a replacement.
“If someone had said at the start of the season that I would be capped I would have thought it farfetched to say the least,” admitted Roots, who started England’s first three Six Nations matches and came of the bench in the final one in Lyon.
“International rugby has always been a goal of mine, but being capped so soon after joining Exeter blindsided me. I joined the club because it was an opportunity to start anew and felt playing there would suit me and I feel very fortunate about how the season has turned out.”
Roots made an impact at Ospreys after initially joining the region as injury cover, but with the Welsh game facing financial challenges he knew it was time to move on.
“I moved to the Ospreys after Dan Lydiate suffered a long-term injury,” said Roots. “It was meant to be for 10 weeks, but I enjoyed it and they kept me on for another two years.
“Then the opportunity dried up for a number of factors. They said they were not looking to resign me because they had a number of youngsters coming through the system and the Chiefs were keen for me to join. I enjoyed my two years there but it was the right time to move on and in hindsight it has worked out nicely.”
Roots was one of a number of new recruits at Exeter who lost a contingent of their 2020 double league and European winners at the end of last season. They were expected to struggle but they have been in and around the top four all season and made the last eight of the Champions Cup.
“We were written off at the start of the season and it was a happy place for us to be,” said Roots. “It played into our hands because there was no pressure on us. That came from within and we have gone out to perform.
“Rob Baxter (Exeter’s director of rugby) gets me and allows me to be myself and do my thing. He has not tried to mould me as a player. I have learned this season that you can overcomplicate things pretty quickly but rugby is a simple game and it is about nailing the basics.”
Roots, who played for New Zealand MƗori in 2020, qualified to play for England through his father, Karl, who was born in Reading and emigrated when he was 15.
“Going back to New Zealand to play would be pretty special,” said Roots who lost his place against Ireland to Ollie Chessum who will miss the tour because of injury.
“My mum and dad are back there and I have loads of family who have not seen me play Test rugby. I have been away a long time and to share some moments would be very special.
“Being selected in the squad and having the chance to grow more as a player and be involved at the top end of elite sport again would be a real honour.”
Roots was named man of the match after the opening round victory over Italy.
“It was a bit of a fluke, I think,” he said. “The commentators were bigging me up. Test rugby is a different beast, a big step up physically, mentally and emotionally.
“It comes at you from all fronts. We had some criticism after the first few games but Steve Borthwick (England’s head coach) is looking for long-term growth and foundations have to be laid for a new team.
“We had got a bit of a stride on by the end and I think England are in a good place, helped by the Premiership which demands more of players every week than the United Rugby Championship. The cream of the crop is getting better and better.”