Following London Irish‘s demise, Gloucester has been a safe haven for numerous redundant Exiles and promising England U20s fly-half Rory Taylor is one of many loving life in his new surroundings.
When the unthinkable occurred in June, London Irish were forced into liquidation with players and staff facing unemployment.
An aspiring England age-grade star, the 19-year-old’s rugby career was hanging by a thread until Gloucester came knocking for the talented 10’s services.
However, it wasn’t just Taylor the West Countrymen swooped it in for as prop Afolabi Fasogbon, scrum-half Caolan Englefield, back row Ben Donnell and winger Michael Dykes followed through the door at Kingsholm.
Taylor has enjoyed settling into Gloucester alongside his former Irish team-mates, as well as attack coach James Lightfoot-Brown.
He told The Rugby Paper: “It was a tough time for me when the news broke in the middle of my A-levels. Working that out was a challenge but luckily I came out the right side while others haven’t. James Lightfoot-Brown was a big pull for me going to Gloucester and to be able to carry on those relationships has been really good. In terms of an academy setup it’s really positive and it’s been great to get some minutes in the Premiership Cup.”
While at Irish, Taylor was learning off experienced stand off Paddy Jackson but has now been taken under the wing of Argentina international Santiago Carreras and Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings.
“It’s been really valuable learning off those two,” said Taylor.
“One-to-one skill sessions like passing have been really good as I can pick their brains on how they run games with the small cues that make them great players.”
Taylor is gearing up for his first U20s Six Nations with a new-look England side under head coach Mark Mapletoft.
He said: “I can’t wait, I’m ecstatic. It’s a really good opportunity to put your best foot forward and showcase what you can do on the big stage by making your country proud with a lot of your mates.”
Taylor has put his name forward to be England’s primary goal kicker but faces stiff competition from the other 10’s in the squad and says it’s all down to whoever performs best in training during the coming weeks before their tournament opener in Treviso against Italy on February 2.
“A few boys are putting their hands up,” said Taylor.
“Come the Six Nations whoever is kicking the best in training will decide it, I don’t think we’ve got a clear winner at the minute. I’d love to do it, it would be a big honour and responsibility but equally if I’m not the right man for the job then that’s fine.
“A big thing for any young 10 from a game management point of view is if you’re in the middle of the pitch losing momentum, you need to be able to understand the best option whether to continue playing or kicking. Reading the game is really important and that’s my main focus at the minute.”
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