Exciting to see how far George can go in a year
The Rugby Paper|December 27, 2020
Kyran Bracken unveils his big challenge for 2021 – to turn Wanstead scrum-half George Hardy, 28, into a professional in 12 months
Exciting to see how far George can go in a year

For me there is every reason to look forward to 2021 and it starts with the huge challenge of trying to help an amateur player, George Hardy, make the leap to the professional game within 12 months.

George has made an impression on me at Wanstead RFC that few in the game I have worked with or watched have. You would have to go back more than 20 years to the last time I recommended a player to a club for them to take a serious look at.

Only twice have I tipped a club about a player. On those occasions, they were Rob Thirlby and Danny Grewcock to Saracens, so hopefully, George can make it three out of three.

The fact he spent six years out of the game is one of the reasons I think he can make it; from the first two training sessions at Wanstead, I attended I could identity the ability he had and the potential he has. Wanstead were in London 2 North East last season but he can play at a far higher level and who knows where he could be in 12 months’ time?

I was brought down to Wanstead by my co-coach at St Albans School, Jeremy Walmsley – a New Zealander who loves his rugby – whom I have worked with for three or four years. Jeremy has been at Wanstead since May. He brought me in soon after and we started doing some socially distanced coaching in the summer. There is a nice, tight-knit feeling among the squad.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 27, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 27, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
Army leave it late to regain trophy
The Rugby Paper

Army leave it late to regain trophy

MOMENTS and minutes change matches in equal measure, and that is exactly what happened at Kingsholm as the British Army’s men regained the Inter Service Championship trophy.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Blues hold on in battle at the top
The Rugby Paper

Blues hold on in battle at the top

BLUES held on with their backs to their try line as they edged past the Hurricanes 31-27 to leapfrog their Kiwi rivals and move top of the table.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens
The Rugby Paper

Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens

SARACENS returned to Allianz PWR action with a bonus-point win at StoneX Stadium.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Coventry denied by powerful Pirates
The Rugby Paper

Coventry denied by powerful Pirates

SHEER pack power delivered two classic late rolling maul tries as Pirates maintained their quest for a second place Championship finish.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet
The Rugby Paper

Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet

FOUR international flyhalves took flight from Wales last year, understandably so given the alternative of staying put on contracts shredded by the rugby recession.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Rugby's holy trinity prove the difference
The Rugby Paper

Rugby's holy trinity prove the difference

SINCE time immemorial, rugby has been cloaked in its own cliches: Prince Obolensky was always “dashing”; Colin Meads lived his life as an “unsmiling giant”; Martin Johnson was rarely anything other than “beetle-browed”; and Billy Vunipola, easier to stop with an elephant gun than he is with a Taser according to recent evidence from a late-night bar in Mallorca, will forever be known as “the man who shamed the shirt he wasn’t wearing”.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Tbilisi win was key - Skivington
The Rugby Paper

Tbilisi win was key - Skivington

GEORGE Skivington has credited the European Challenge Cup win against Black Lion in Tbilisi as the moment Gloucester turned their season around.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Scarlets pay price for lack of discipline
The Rugby Paper

Scarlets pay price for lack of discipline

ULSTER gave their URC play-off hopes a major boost as they capitalised on indiscipline from the hosts to secure maximum points in Llanelli.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
James at his best as Sale keep in the race
The Rugby Paper

James at his best as Sale keep in the race

SAM James might be departing for pastures new but Sale’s Mr Dependable produced a nigh on immaculate performance at full-back as they continue to battle for a play-off place.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Russell masterclass has Bath in top gear
The Rugby Paper

Russell masterclass has Bath in top gear

FINN Russell scored eight points, pulled the strings for three of Bath’s tries and barely put a foot wrong in a classy display that will send shivers down the spine of their Premiership title rivals.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024