England U20s 2017 Six Nations Champions gpfoto
Sports Photography
gpfoto 2
gpfoto 3
gpfoto 4
gpfoto 5
gpfoto 6
gpfoto 7
gpfoto 8
gpfoto 9
gpfoto 10
gpfoto 11
gpfoto 12
gpfoto 13
gpfoto 14
gpfoto 15
gpfoto 16
gpfoto 17
gpfoto 18
gpfoto 19
gpfoto 20
gpfoto 21
gpfoto 22
gpfoto 23
gpfoto 24
gpfoto 25
gpfoto 26
gpfoto 27
gpfoto 28
gpfoto 29
gpfoto 30
gpfoto 31
Profile
It has been an unusual route to the second row for Nick Isiekwe, a member of Saracens Academy, who played at prop, centre, No.8 and flanker before settling into his role at lock. He started playing tag rugby aged six at Old Verulamians (OVs) at London Colney, near St Albans after his mum Ruth encouraged him to take up sport. She said: “At the time his cousin began in tag rugby at OVs and I said it would be nice to get Nicholas into it. It escalated from there.” Now standing 6’6”, he has physically outgrown his original positions. When 13, he joined Old Albanian and then Saracens invited him for trials. Nick has been there since then and impressed shrewd judges. He played for England U16 in the wins over Wales and Scotland in 2014 and a swift climb brought him three appearances in the 2015 Rugby Europe U18 Championship in France in March and April. He also played for England U17 against France the following year and shared in four of the U20s first five wins in the 2017 Six Nations. Educated at Haileybury College in Hertfordshire, he had previously attended Mandeville Primary School and Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School. He said: “When I play rugby, the high pace is truly
gpfoto 32
thrilling. It gives me the chance to be physical and really let loose. I enjoy myself and that’s the main thing for me. “My first mentor was Harry Harrison at Albanians and now Jim Hamilton and Maro Itoje at Saracens help my understanding of the game. I want to reach my full potential and beyond rugby, I’d love to get into property development and property buying and selling. That would be great.” Born in Hemel Hempstead, he has captained Hertfordshire U16 and Saracens U17, has been involved in athletics and represented his native county in the discus. The players he most admires are clubmate Maro Itoje, Martin Johnson, Eben Etzebeth and Brian Habana. U20 International Record 2017 F(R), W, It, I U18 International Record 2015 Europe: P(R), F, It; SA Tour: F, SA ‘A’, SA
Young Gun: Nick Isiekwe – England U20s lock Posted on February 17, 2017 by Nick Verdier in Young Gun
Nick Isiekwe wants to play at the highest level and he only needs to look at Saracens teammate Maro
Itoje to know dreams can quickly turn to reality. Like Itoje in 2014, second-row Isiekwe, 18, embarks on a Six Nations campaign with England U20s looking to end his age group career on a high before making the step up to senior rugby. In the three years since, Itoje has become a mainstay for Saracens and England and Isiekwe reveals he is grateful to be able to draw on such experience each day at training. “Maro was in the U20s only three years ago so it proves the pathway from age group to the top works,” said Isiekwe, who shares a similar physical satture as Itoje at 6ft 5in and 17st 7lb. “It’s very inspiring for a young guys like me to see what he’s achieved in such a short period of time. “The Saracens academy is a great learning environment and I’m enjoying it very much. All the senior guys are teaching their ways and it’s up to us to take it on board and pick up all we can to progress. “Playing in the tight five means there is a lot to learn when you move from schools to senior rugby but I’m lucky to be able to pick the brains of guys like Maro, George Kruis and Jim Hamilton. “They’ve got a lot of knowledge about the game at the highest level which can only be good for a young guy looking to do something similar.” Playing for Old Albanians, Isiekwe was spotted by Saracens aged 13 and he’s been at the club ever since. He left Haileybury College last summer and joined the club’s senior academy full-time in a bid to earn his first professional contract. He admits the step up to senior rugby is his biggest challenge but he’s relishing the chance to test his skills against big men playing in National One with Ampthill before sharing them with his
U20s teammate. He added: “I played with a few of the players at age group level for many years which makes it very enjoyable. It’s nice to go through the ranks together. “Playing in the Six Nations will be a good experience for us. We’re keen to build our own legacy after the guys last season won the World Cup. “We’re all in the same boat now trying to cut it at senior level. I’m getting most of my game time playing for Ampthill where I’ve learned a lot. “This season is my first playing against men and it’s very different from school. The forwards are a lot bigger and more physical but you’ve got to think on your feet and find ways to deal with it during games. “I’m working hard at Saracens to make sure my body is ready for senior rugby. It’s pretty hard and getting used to play at this level is my biggest challenge right now but I love challenges.”
Saracens Ben Earl & Nick Isiekwe Sign On Dual Registration Ampthill Director of Rugby Mark Lavery and European Champions Saracens, Academy Manager Don Barrell are pleased to confirm the first players for the upcoming season to benefit from the arrangement that sees young players contracted to Saracens Academy continue their match development under the Ampthill coaching team in National 1.
Ben Earl Number 8 Ben Earl (102kg) was born in Redhill and has been capped 6 times for England age groups as well as captaining England U16 & Saracens U18. Last season Ben was part of the Saracens 7s squad at the Premiership Rugby Sevens and appeared for Saracens in the Aviva ‘A’ league. Educated at Tonbridge where he captained both the 1stXV and 1stVII Ben can also play on the flank.
Nick Isiekwe Lock Nick Isiekwe (1.98m, 113kg) has 12 England age group caps at U16, U17 & U18. Last season he played for Saracens in the Aviva ‘A’ league while being a fixture in the England squad. Born in Hemel Hempstead and educated at Haileybury College where he studied Psychology Nick’s early rugby was at Old Verulamians before joining Old Albanians. Paul Turner (Head Coach) comments” I am delighted that our continuing partnership with European Champions Saracens continues into its second season. Last year Ralph Adams-Hale, Billy Walker and Max Wilkins all became valuable members of our match day squad. I am pleased to welcome Ben & Nick who join us on a similar arrangement, both are successful members of Saracens Academy and England U18 group and we are excited to help guide their future development.” Don Barrell comments “Saracens are looking forward to continuing the relationship with Ampthill. There has been a successful partnership this year with our young players getting a great development opportunity to play in a competitive side. Nick and Ben are talented young guys and we expect they will turn up to Ampthill displaying the work ethic and buy in required to help the clubs National 1 campaign.”
gpfoto 33
gpfoto
my photos, your story
gpfoto@ymail.com +353 (087) 2424123 Š All rights reserved