Young Guns: Saracens back row Nathan Michelow

By BEN JAYCOCK

Nathan Michelow already has a useful amount of experience in the top flight and is part of England U20s leadership group heading into the Six Nations.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a whirlwind 2022/23, in which he made four Premiership Cup appearances in the back row for Saracens before making his Premiership bow off the bench against Northampton, and started for the champions away at Bath at the age of 18.

Michelow then went on to play a key role in the latter stages of England U20s World Championship campaign in South Africa, where they finished fourth.

This season Michelow has played in all five of Saracens’ Premiership Cup fixtures and says it’s been quite the contrast from his time out on loan at National Two East side Old Albanians last season.

Michelow told The Rugby Paper: “It was crazy going from Old Albanians in National Two to playing at Franklin’s Gardens. It hasn’t really sunk in being in the mix as much as I have been but it has provided a taste for what’s to come. So, it’s a good motivation to chase after.

“The club is such a good environment to be in and I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by so many seasoned players and the coaches are phenomenal. There’s the expectation to fully buy into it and that’s what I’ve been trying to do since being here.”

Michelow started out as a footballer before opting for the oval ball instead and fell in love with rugby at Coopers School in Upminster, Essex.

He was then picked up by Saracens at 15 and has enjoyed a smooth transition thus far into the first team squad.

The 6 ft 3inch, 17st forward, who can operate across the back row, has been in England U20s camp rehabbing for a shoulder injury in the hope of being fit in time for the Six Nations opener against Italy on February 2.

He said: “I’m loving it with the U20s. When I got to step into the 20’s last year it was a great experience and now it’s my second year there’s a really good team here. On the pitch the boys are all class players and off it we’re a tight squad considering we’ve only been here for three weeks now. It’s a nice team to play in and gives you a good feeling meeting up with them.”

Michelow captained England against Bath United earlier this month and is part of head coach Mark Mapletoft’s leadership group but says the discourse among the squad is evenly shared.

“Captaining against Bath was a definite highlight while being in the U20s,” said Michelow.

“It was very special being in a leadership role knowing that I had to give as much as I could to it. It’s nice to know they trusted me in that role but I think anyone could comfortably step into it as there’s a lot of calm heads here. It’s not just the same five or six boys talking, every member of the squad has led a meeting or voiced something.

We chat about things that could benefit the wider squad and ask for the boys thoughts on it. We’re a new group and it’s now about how can I settle in and give my best to the team and that’s the same for every game.

I’m going to take it one week at a time to give the best I can.”