Aviva Premiership Academy Watch: Part 2

We follow on from our look at the academies of Bath, Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester, by examining the next set of Aviva Premiership teams; Harlequins, Leicester Tigers and London Irish.

All three have enjoyed periods of success with their academies over the last number of years, but have also faced significant challenges, whether that be consistently producing talent year after year or retaining that talent for a prolonged period.

Harlequins
Quins’ policy of developing their own talent and supplementing their squad with a marquee player or two is well-known, and given the efficiency and success of their academy system, it’s not surprising. The club identifies players from London, Sussex and Surrey for their Developing Player Programme at the age of 13 or 14, move on the more impressive players to their Elite Player Development Group as they get older, before the select few make it to full-time academy players. Kyle Sinckler, Jack Clifford and Charlie Matthews are examples of recent graduates.

Hot Prospect – Joe Marchant, Centre
A versatile centre with elusive feet, Marchant has been the pick of an inconsistent England U20s side so far this season, proving to be a try-scoring threat from anywhere on the field. Quins’ midfield has struggled at times this season to puncture oppositions defences and Marchant, alongside academy graduate Harry Sloan, could bring some fresh impetuous to a unit that has lacked consistency.
His build is still a little sleight for regular senior rugby, but expect him to push for an opportunity in the LV= Cup next season, as the distribution he shows and the lines he picks are Conrad Smith-esque from the outside centre berth.

Other Noteworthy Names
Number eight James Chisholm is the most recognisable name in Quins’ academy side and has already featured alongside his older brother, Ross, in the 1st XV. In addition to Chisholm, powerful hooker/prop Seb Adeniran-Olule is another name to watch.
Chisholm’s increased exposure at international age-grade level and in the LV= Cup could see him feature regularly for Harlequins next season, especially if they are keen to manage the game time of Nick Easter, but Adeniran-Olule may need to spend a season dual-registered in a lower league. Adeniran-Olule could provide the finishing touch to the ever-improving front row of Joe Marler and Sinckler, but the step up from academy to senior rugby is steep and patience should be advised.

Leicester Tigers
Leicester’s usually prolific academy has been going through a dry spell of late, but that’s set to change dramatically over the next couple of years, with the current crop amongst the best around. Incoming head coach Aaron Mauger will look at Leicester’s academy squad like a kid on Christmas morning and there is the potential in this group to return the Tigers to the very top of the Premiership.

Hot Prospect – Charlie Beckett, Back Row
A powerful and dynamic flanker, Beckett has been making his mark with the England U20s side this season and of all the academy prospects mentioned thus far, he is amongst the most ready to step up to senior club rugby.
With Jamie Gibson set to leave the club this summer and Julian Salvi rumoured to be following him out the door, opportunities should arise for Beckett in 2015/16, as well as the possibility of dual-registration. A barnstorming Junior World Championship campaign this summer would only help to boost Beckett’s stock with Mauger and Richard Cockerill.

Other Noteworthy Names
The latest Tuilagi, Freddie Jr., is a promising front rower in the Tigers’ academy, whilst hooker Harry Thacker has shown this season he is ready to play senior rugby, but it’s in the back line where the riches really lay for Leicester. Centres George Catchpole, Jacob Umaga (son of Mike Umaga) and Charlie Thacker (brother of Harry, son of former Tiger Troy Thacker) are all highly-rated and show plenty of promise, as do wingers Paolo Odogwu and Sam Yawawawa.
Jordan and Ryan Olowofela, twins who play centre and wing respectively, also deserve a mention, as does flanker and current England U20s squad member, Will Owen. The depth and quality of Leicester’s academy arguably warrants an article all of its own and though Tigers fans may have been put through the wringer somewhat this season, the future is certainly bright in the East Midlands.

London Irish
Irish boast a productive academy and recent graduates include the likes of current England internationals Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph, as well as Jamie Gibson, Alex Corbisiero and David Sisi. Unfortunately for Irish however, none of those players remain with the club, having been picked off by other Premiership sides. With new ownership and significant investment, Irish’s spell as a bit of a feeder side has hopefully come to an end and they can now look to reap the rewards of their academy themselves.

Hot Prospect – Tom Fowlie, Winger/Centre
Alongside Alex Lewington and Sean Maitland, Fowlie could form part of an exciting back three for Irish next season, who will be looking to find the perfect balance between the experience of their incoming signings and the potential of their well-coached youngsters. Fowlie, like Lewington, has a natural eye for the try line and with British and Irish Lion Maitland offering the benefit of his experience at full-back, they could be one of the more exciting position groups to watch in 2015/16.
Fowlie also has the versatility to play outside centre and could provide Irish with more incision in their midfield next season. Regardless of where he ultimately ends up playing however, there can be little doubt that if he keeps up his current rate of development, he will improve Irish’s back line significantly.

Other Noteworthy Names
Irish’s current crop doesn’t offer the same obvious star power of recent years, but scrum-half Callum Watson, brother of Anthony and Marcus, and fly-half Theo Brophy-Clews, are two emerging talents. Both players are highly-touted following their exploits at school level and Brophy-Clews became the youngest try scorer in the club’s history when he made his debut earlier this season.
One of the club’s biggest issues in recent times has been a lack of quality and/or consistency at the half-back positions, something which Watson and Brophy-Clews could change over the coming years. Brophy-Clews has also featured for the England U18s side this season and starred in their victory over Scotland earlier this month.