OLLIE Thorley has been working on his attacking technique after a series of injuries have prevented him from adding to the one England cap Eddie Jones handed him last year.
The 25-year old Gloucester wing was injured again three matches into the season, ending his chances of being involved in the Autumn Internationals. He made his return from the bench against Exeter in the Premiership Cup last weekend.
“It's been a frustrating time,” said Thorley. “I thought I did well in the first few games and then got injured. Sport is so often about momentum and I used the time out to reflect on how I played the game and whether it was exposing me to injuries.
“I play rugby like Jack Nowell, looking to get involved and be abrasive. It has exposed me to injuries: I have never had a soft tissue one from running, they have all been a consequence of contact.
“It made me think about how I play, but I love going into contact and whacking people. I like playing on the edge, but it is about achieving a balance so you do not always find yourself in a compromising position.
“I have been working with Dom Waldouck (attack coach) and Tommy Turner in strength and conditioning to make some subtle changes in the contact area. Rugby is a brutal sport and I have things that make me stand apart from other wings, but I want to play rugby, not watch it.
“There is a chance that if I had not been injured, I would have put my hand up for England.”
Thorley, a wing with explosive power and pace who was the Premiership's top try scorer in 2019-20, took a keen interest in the Autumn Internationals, using time to watch players take notes as he prepared for his return to the Glouces- ter side.
“If you look at world class players and notice what they do, you will get better,” said Thorley.
“I was inspired by some of the matches and players such as Ireland's James Lowe, who not long ago was being criticised for his defence.
“When he was interviewed after the victory over New Zealand, the country he is from, he reflected not on his try but a defensive hit towards the end which helped seal the victory.
“I thought that was awesome. He worked on the part of the game he had been criticised for and implemented it against one of the best sides around.”
Thorley said he was impressed by England whose three-match campaign finished with a victory over the country that had defeated them in the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama, South Africa.
“England were inspirational in the way they played and I enjoyed watching them,” he said.
“Marcus Smith is a phenomenal player, someone to build a team around, Freddie Steward, left, exceptional in the way he operated across the back three and carried himself under the high was ball. He was awesome and has set the target for every player in England.
“Rugby is a sport which evolves quickly through law changes and styles of play.
Masterpieces take a while to complete and you have to add different layers. I am not saying I am a masterpiece, but that is what you have to aim towards.
“I think I am making good progress, but I want to get back into the England squad. You are where you are and you cannot lose any sleep over it.
“The Premiership is an incredibly competitive league, more so than any of the leagues in Europe, and you come to realise that small things make a big difference.”
