Welcome to the RugbyRocks blog where I’ll be taking a weekly nose around the world of rugby union.
Back in the amateur days Harlequins built much of their considerable success by recruiting top players and using city connections to secure ‘jobs for the boys’. That strategy derailed overnight as the game turned professional, and the club has struggled for much of the past 15 years – and even faced the indignity of relegation in 2005. Now, after years of patience and investment the club is finding its way again through the recruitment of local talent.
Today, I’ve dropped in on young Harlequins pair Chris York and George Lowe, key members of the table topping Quins, who first met as 13 year olds at Epsom College.
We meet at Surrey Sports Centre, where York hobbles out to meet me in his moon boot, a reminder of the ruptured ankle ligament which has put a temporary halt on his progress. We head home to a three bedroom semi in the leafy suburbs of Guildford, where he lives with Lowe. The house is immaculate and George admits he likes things done a certain way, and that Chris is tidier than he looks!
The duo played together for five years at Epsom College - Lowe captained the school 15-a-side team, while York captained school Sevens side as he does now for Quins – leading them to victory at the Rosslyn Park Floodlight Sevens in May this year.
Here you can see the pair in action as 16 year olds on their way to winning the National School Sevens in 2006: Lowe clearly hasn’t lost any of his pace and from the look of things York can shift as well!!
York is reluctant to comment on his personal progress this season and attributes the team’s success to trust – saying the senior players are just as confident in the fresh faced Academy recruits as they are in each other.
Other Quins regulars this season, such as Seb Stegmann, Joe Marler, Ross Chisholm and winger Sam Smith, have also come through the academy and EPDG – some from as young as 13.
This season we’ve also seen the emergence of flanker Luke Wallace, man of the match against Northampton and Gloucester already this season, was once a fierce rival throughout school in the Tonbridge back row. York recalls: ‘The Epsom v Tonbridge game was always a real battle, Luke has always been a quality 7, far better having him on my team!’.
These friendships and rivalries go back years and have helped forged bonds upon which Harlequins are building their future. The team are flying on the pitch relying on home-grown talent blended. There is also harmony at home – provided Yorkie can remember to wash his dishes.
Until next week!
Andy
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