England's next crop of stars were moulded by grass-roots rugby - the lifeblood of the game
The pathway from mini rugby to international status may have had several large boulders strewn across it by Covid-19 but there is plenty of evidence that the likes of three of the uncapped players in Eddie Jones’ original squad for Sunday’s aborted match against the Barbarians at Twickenham will be able to reflect on similar journeys made by the next generation of England players.
The coronavirus that infected the good sense of Chris Robshaw and his BaaBaa pals to lead to the cancellation of the fixture was a shame on so many levels, not the least of which is that the match is usually an opportunity to see the first flowering of promising players in the ranks of both teams. England’s Got Talent, a fruitful abundance that will have its day in the Twickenham sun at some point.
Northampton lock, Alex Moon, had his first taste of rugby at Ipswich RFC, fellow Saints’ player, centre, Fraser Dingwall, followed in his dad’s footsteps at Cambridge RFC while the versatile back, Saracens’ Ali Crossdale, spent his formative days at Bowdon RFC in south Manchester. All unknown, all unheralded, all reliant on the community game.
Coronavirus may have had a good stab at withering these grassroots but for all the financial privations and uncertainty, the signs are that clubs remain intent on garnering the next harvest.
Ipswich coach, Jason Smith, can still recall the day that Moon first showed up.
“God, he was tall, at least a foot taller than any of the other kids in his age group, although we shouldn’t have been too surprised given that his mum is 6’ 3”, said Smith of Moon who came through from local independent school, St Joseph’s College, a production line that has also sent the likes of Lewis Ludlam and Alex Day on their way.
“St Joe’s is a great rugby school but the state system has also played its part. Tui Uru, a no.8, came through to us briefly at Ipswich from the state sector and is now also on Northampton’s books. This part of the world has turned out several future professionals and the links with the Saints are strong. Of course, Covid has been tough and there has been an obvious hit on bar-takings. Clubs depend on that income stream. But we’re hanging on in there.
"The volunteers are the backbone of any club, even more so now. Ipswich have spread out their Sunday playing sessions to avoid over-crowding but that means you’ve got to staff the kitchen all day. One of our main focuses is to try and keep the kids interested. I’m doing the U14s and at that age there are other distractions beginning to appear but all we can do with them by and large is catch-and-pass stuff. But we’ll come through it.
"We were due to field four senior teams this season and we have at least one team in every age group from U6s upwards. We’ll find the next Alex Moon if he’s out there and fancies a game of rugby.”
That upbeat message was echoed at Bowdon as well as at Cambridge. What is clear is that the signposting route through for exceptional individuals is in good working order. The competitive public school system also plays its part with both Moon and Crossdale benefiting from their 6th Form education at Sedbergh, the alma mater of Will Carling and Will Greenwood among others.
“Ali was a different class as soon as he walked through the doors at Bowdon,” said his youth coach, Tony Bennett. “He used to go off to county and then England sessions yet never once cut across me when he came back to us even though it was obvious he eventually knew more than I did.
"As they said at the club, Ali was so good that not even you could mess him up. It took Bowdon a while to get their mini and junior section established and it was a grant from Sport England that really made us get our act together. There was a claw-back on the grant if we didn’t deliver a visible and sustainable junior section.
"That concentrated minds. Bowdon has a social membership so the clubhouse bar is open every day so there is a bit of income. We’re a smallish club with three senior sides but well established, one of Cheshire’s oldest.
"You worry more about the possible drop-off in numbers that Covid might bring about than the money losses. But we’ve been here for well over a century and clubs like ours will keep serving the community and producing future talent.”
It was always likely that Fraser Dingwall would pick up a rugby ball and run with it in the manner of his dad, Duncan, who commuted thrice weekly from the family home in Cambridge to play for London Scottish in the amateur days, ending his career at Cambridge RUFC.
"Fraser followed his brother, Ieuan, down to the club and both of them having watch me play there was a good chance that they would want to do likewise,” said Dingwall.
“Fraser did very well at a young age, got on the Saints’ radar, was picked up by Scotland as well through my roots but there is no questioning his allegiance to England now. Cambridge lost its way a little in trying to over-reach itself with payments at senior level but is right back doing what it does best, providing a rugby outlet for all ages and all abilities. It’s a great sight on a Sunday to see hundreds of little boys and girls running about having fun. Covid has affected all clubs at all levels but this sort of activity has to continue. I’m confident it will.”
