The rugby stories making headlines on Tuesday, March 31.
These are your rugby headlines for the morning of Tuesday, March 31.
Others keen to join Hearn after Pollock deal
Over 40 rugby players have reportedly message Eddie Hearn in the hope of being signed to his Matchroom agency, following a high-profile deal with Henry Pollock.
However, The Times claims Hearn’s agency will only take another one or two players on board.
Hearn’s move into the world of rugby is expected to have a big impact, although he himself admits his efforts are likely to cause a stir with many of rugby’s traditionalists.
“The old school, they’re not going to like everything that happens,” he said. “Isn’t that the problem? The kid has a good heart, is a pure competitor and an inspiration to the younger generation. He’s out there playing for England and the Lions with character and personality. Please do not try and clip the wings of the one guy that could, I believe, change the sport for our generation.
“He doesn’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s my cup of tea. Rugby needs the support of those people that moan. They’ll soon be looking at Henry Pollock going, ‘Let’s get a team of Henry Pollocks’. It doesn’t mean you have to lose the humility, the foundations of integrity that you have. He’ll play with all of that because of what rugby means to him. Allow this young man to fly and inspire a new generation of players and fans.”
In a separate interview with The Telegraph, Hearn vowed to make Pollock a figure in the mainstream media.
“You’re going to see him everywhere in the next three or four weeks,” he said. “Within 12 months – maybe within six months – he’s going to make more off the field than he’s making on it. And that’s our bread and butter. That’s where we’re really going to show the value. But, here, we’re going to completely continue to infiltrate the mainstream media.
“We need him on the sofa with Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton. We need him across every mainstream show.”
Dragons youngster edging towards long-awaited return
Dragons youngster Oli Woodman is closing in on a return to full fitness after stepping out for Newport RFC at the weekend.
Woodman came on as a second-half substitute in the Super Rygbi Cymru clash with Bridgend at Newport Stadium.
It was the first time the 21-year-old has stepped out onto a field for 854 days, with the utility back suffering several injuries during that time.
Speaking back in August about his injury struggles, he said: “It’s been tough. There’s no sugar-coating it. I’m not the only person going through a long-term injury and I have been out for about two years now with hamstring injuries.
“I think some days are better than others. You can get into quite a dark place, but obviously it’s how you deal with those things. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. So however hard it gets, it’s always temporary.
“But sometimes it’s very hard to accept that. When I had my fourth or fifth injury in a span of a couple of years, people were telling me it gets better, and you struggle to see it.
“I’m really open about it. I don’t mind talking about it. It does get hard.”
Lam backs Oghre for England
Pat Lam believes Bristol Bears hooker Gabriel Oghre has all the ingredients to become England’s first-choice hooker.
With England’s senior hooker Jamie George and second choice Luke Cowan-Dickie now 35 and 32 respectively, fresh blood will be needed in the front row as we look beyond next year’s Rugby World Cup.
George has already confirmed he will hand up his boots at the conclusion of the tournament, leaving the door wide open for Oghre to make his case against the competition of Jamie Balmire of Leicester, Theo Dan of Saracens and Kepu Tuipulotu of Bath.
Lam said: “He’s a young man with big dreams and he wants to play at that next level, so he’s ticking off all the boxes to improve that. His set-piece is very good, he puts the right ball there.
“He’s in great form. He was in good form before the end of the Six Nations. I was surprised he didn’t even get picked up in England A? But all you can do is just get back and do the best you can for the club.”