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Geoff Parling uses Oz experience to bring the best out of Adam Radwan
By Neil Squires
High-flying Adam Radwan has benefited from Geoff Parling’s eye for Aussie Rules in winning an England call-up.
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The prolific wing has scored 13 tries in 16 games in all competitions for Leicester since arriving from Newcastle last season.
But it is as much Radwan’s improvement in the nuts-and-bolts areas of the game as his finishing which has convinced Steve Borthwick to bring him into his training squad ahead of the autumn internationals.
Top of the list was the aerial upgrade demanded by Parling when the Tigers’ head coach closed the book on his eight-year stay in Australia to take charge in the summer.
According to OPTA, Radwan is the only player in the Prem, that has fielded a minimum of three kicks, with a 100 per cent catch success rate in attack and defence this season.
“Being across there and looking at the AFL and NRL, the ability in the air that I would see regularly and the guys’ catching was something I wanted our guys to work hard at from day one here,” revealed Parling.
“So, along with Anthony Allen (defence coach) and Alex Davies (skills and kicking coach), we’ve done a lot of work around the high ball and what we do around our kick game. It’s certainly been something we focused on from pretty much the very first day I arrived and he (Radwan) has applied himself very well.
“I do think his all-round game has improved. He’s made definite shifts there. Now he’s probably bringing his power and his athletic ability to the defensive side of the game as well which is great.
“The things we asked him to work on, he’s worked really hard on and his all-round game has been excellent.”
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The 27-year-old has not played a Test for England since 2021 when he played two internationals against Tonga and Canada, scoring four tries.
But he is back involved with England’s training squad at Pennyhill Park for three days this week before Borthwick names his squad for the autumn on Sunday.
While Parling is understandably delighted at Radwan’s recognition, he feels the Tigers’ other first-choice wing Ollie Hassell-Collins has been unfortunate to be overlooked.
“He’s a good player – powerful, does lots of good things, has a good left foot on him – but England are pretty blessed in that area I’d say.”
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