HOWE ABOUT THAT BOKS? inattheside/england-u18s-hoping-for-howe-about-that-boks/ England u18′s and London Wasps wing Tom Howe will be looking to draw from the same gas canister he used at the JP Morgan 7s at Allianz Park on Saturday night, when England take on South Africa Schools in Cape Town tomorrow afternoon. In terms of results, it was a disappointing evening for Wasps, but one which produced flashes of encouragement and none were more dazzling than Howe’s spectacular chase down of England and Saracens wing Chris Ashton. Chasing down the incumbent England wing would be a feather in the cap for any premiership wing, but for the fresh out of school Howe, to do it to his idol was a moment to savor . “It was just a brilliant moment for me. When I saw him get the ball, i just turned and ran not really expecting to get anywhere near and it was a fantastic feeling when i caught him as he’s been my idol growing up; his gas and the way he plays is something i try to model my game on.” said Howe who made his first team for Wasps in the LV cup against Leicester last season. “Sevens suits me as a game, and to be on the same field as guys like Ashton and Tom Varndell was a great experience; any opportunity to play with the pro’s is a fantastic opportunity really.” Having mixed it with full internationals and premiership players, Howe would be forgiven for seeing an age group international as a gentle blow out, but that couldn’t be further from the case for the Shiplake College speed merchant. “In the JP Morgan 7s there was a lot of space and some great individuals, but no matter what level you play at, playing against South Africa in South Africa is as big a challenge as it gets. “They will always bring a huge physical challenge. We don’t know what their strengths are so we’ll just have to rely on our strengths, but we’re expecting them to have plenty of size and pace.” As for the future, Howe has the natural attributes to be successful in abbreviated form of the game and travelled with the England development side to the Dubai sevens last autumn, but attempting to reach the levels demonstrated by the sizzling Wasps backline last season remains his top priority. “I did some sevens last year, but as soon as Wasps offered me a contract my focus has switched solely to playing well for my club and hopefully making the England u20′s side. “I’m looking forward to using guys like Christian Wade, Tom Varndell and Elliot Daly as mentors who I can learn from. “Sevens does interest me, and if any one off opportunities come about in the future, then Wasps might allow me that opportunity.” Howe is one of several players from the England u18′s squad to have played in the JP Morgan 7s over the weekend including James Chisholm (Harlequins), Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester), Max Clark (Bath), Stuart Townsend (Exeter) and Tom Fowlie (London Irish). England will hope to draw from that experience as they look to defend an unbeaten season in tests against South Africa, France and Wales.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:13:08 +0000
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