YOUNG GUNS
HARTPURY FLY-HALF
Former England U20s playmaker Tommy Mathews is eager for more top-flight action after getting a taste this season during his loan spell with Wasps.
The Hartpury flyhalf joined Wasps as injury cover for Charlie Atkinson and was thrown in the deep end, coming off the bench in an away defeat to Saracens.
Mathews started back-to-back Premiership Cup matches against Newcastle and Leicester and despite both ending in defeat, the 21-year-old loved the experience.
He said: “I had a great four months at Wasps but Charlie is fit now so I’m in the Championship again with Hartpury but it was great learning off the likes of Dan Robson, Jacob Umaga and Jimmy Gopperth.”
Mathews spent two seasons in the Northampton Saints academy from 2019 where he got to learn off his idol Dan Biggar.
“I joined in a World Cup year so in the first few months the young lads had opportunities to get more involved and play Premiership Cup games. I was excited to learn off Dan when he got back from the World Cup as I’ve always idolised him. Also, learning off 10s like George Furbank and James Grayson was fantastic.”
Like many No.10s, Mathews started out as a footballer but changed to rugby at his local club Petersfield much to the appreciation of his rugby-mad family. He said: “The rugby and football club both train at the same place back home in Petersfield. When I was seven, I finished playing football and saw all the rugby players playing and I just joined in and fell in love with it straight away.
“My grandad and my dad were always massive on rugby, especially as my grandparents lived in Wales, so they were pleased when I made the transition.”
Mathews played a key role in England’s U20 Grand Slam last year, scoring 11 points in the tournament but was fortunate to be involved.
He said: “My time with England started out a bit rough as I injured my AC in a North vs South game. I thought I’d miss the Six Nations but luckily the tournament was moved to the summer because of Covid. It was a really good five weeks away in Cardiff and a real honour. I never thought I’d be part of the England setup until that year as I thought I was always going to play for Wales before that.
“My dad has always peppered me to support Wales, but it was good to make the switch although he wasn’t too happy!”
Mathews has impressed for Hartpury this season scoring 24 points in 12 games and is targeting a Premiership contract for next season. He added: “I loved playing in the Wasps–Saracens match in the Premiership and I’m hungry to get back to that level now the Championship season has finished.”
