Quins' Clegg remains patient for now (From Croydon Guardian)

Quins' Clegg remains patient for now

8:20am Thursday 5th November 2009

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Harlequins fly-half Rory Clegg may have struck a match saving penalty against London Irish at the weekend, but he was brought down to earth with a bump by rival number ten Nick Evans within minutes of the final whistle.

The 19-year-old former Newcastle Falcon impressed during his first Premiership start for Quins as head coach John Kingston’s men shut out the division’s leading try scorers and came close to snatching maximum points themselves.

Clegg, widely tipped as a future senior international, has made only fleeting appearances from the bench this season having switched from being Jonny Wilkinson’s understudy to being Evans’ number two.

And the former All Black, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, has already been warned - all be it tongue in cheek - he had better make the most of his chance.

“I didn’t realise at the time that it was the last play of the match and although I had missed a couple of kicks beforehand, I’ve hit so many like that in training I was confident I’d get it,” he said.

“It was nice to get my first start. I’ve come off the bench a few times but not got long, hopefully I’ve done enough to play this week.

“I walked off the pitch and asked Nick straight away when he was likely to be fit and he said he’d be back for the Newcastle game next week, so I might not get long to prove myself.

“A lot depends on what sort of side we put out in the Cup competition, but we’ve got so many injuries at the moment I’m hoping to get another go.”

Clegg made the switch south over the summer having been persuaded by former director of rugby Dean Richards that playing with some of the country’s leading young internationals at the Stoop was the best way to develop his career.

He is likely to lead the England back line at next year’s U20s World Cup in Argentina, but will miss the spring programme to provide cover for Evans in the event of injury.

The inclusion of 20-year-old Courtney Lawes in the England squad to face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday has given Clegg an added incentive to force his way into the Quins starting line-up.

But Clegg already knows good things come to those who wait.

“Dean’s departure was a bit unsettling, but I knew the coaching set up here was first class anyway, so it hasn’t been too hard to adjust,” he said.

“You look at the squad and there is a strong group of young English players. We’ve got the best English scrum-half in the game as well. It is good to be around people in your own age bracket.

“It will be great to get back with U20s at the end of the season to see how far I’ve progressed compared to my piers and then I’ll be after a place with the Saxons - I might even do a Courtney Lawes.”

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