The Bob Dwyer advice which convinced Eddie Jones that 'world-class' Paolo Odogwu was England must-pick
Uncapped Paolo Odogwu owes his inclusion in the 2021 England squad for the Guinness Six Nations to a piece of long-ago advice from the World Cup-winning Bob Dwyer that Eddie Jones has never forgotten.
Before Dwyer enshrined his reputation as one of the sport’s best coaches by guiding the Wallabies to World Cup final success in the 1991 decider versus England, he would have coached Jones at the famed Randwick club in Sydney.
And something his old mentor once said to him was foremost in Jones’ mind when it came to considering whether 23-year-old Odogwu deserved a shot in the England squad in the weeks ahead following a winter of excellent progress at Wasps.
Odogwu wasn’t even in the frame as a club starter when the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season started in November. However, midfield injuries presented him with four consecutive starts in the league and in Europe before he continued his fine form when reverting to his more recognised position on the wing.
By the time the league went into its recent two-week circuit breaker, Odogwu topped the charts for most metres gained, his 367 tally way ahead of next best Alfie Barbeary on 295. He had also made the most clean breaks, his 12 two more than second-best Henry Purdy, while he was also the league second highest try scorer with five and fourth-best in the defenders beaten section with a count of 19.
"Malakai is pretty key to the way we play. We felt the nearest person to him was Paolo"#GallagherPrem #WASvEXEhttps://t.co/iFHfYlg1MU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 2, 2021
Those numbers left Jones remembering the long-ago advice he got from Dwyer and it resulted in Odogwu becoming one of three uncapped players chosen in the England 2021 Six Nations squad, the other two rookies being Harry Randall and Beno Obano.
Asked when Odogwu first registered on his radar as a player to watch, Jones said: “I remember talking to the ex-director of rugby at Sale, Steve Diamond, about him, watching him in a game. He said this kid has got a lot of power, he has got a lot of potential.
“Then he changed to Wasps. Didn’t have that much game time last year but certainly every time he plays he has got something about him.
“I was lucky enough to be coached by a guy called Bob Dwyer and one of the things he always told me about selection was look for those players who can be world-class at something and he [Odogwu] can be world-class in terms of line breaking. That is the thing that has caught my attention all the time.”
Paolo Odogwu has just been named in the England squad for the first time, so here's the brilliant @JLyall93 interview with him from last weekend.?https://t.co/SRDTKLI1fD
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) January 22, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments