Young Gun: Tom Chapman – Worcester wing/scrum-half

Tom Chapman is only 19 but the speedster has already been on the books of Saracens, Bath and Blackheath. But after joining Worcester this summer, he hopes his nomadic days are over.
Chapman was part of the England U18 side that won the 2012 FIRA European title, coming off the bench at scrum-half in their final win over Ireland.
But the former Colfe’s School pupil has not enjoyed the best 12 months since that success under John Fletcher.
His first year at Bath University was beset by injury before he could impress the Rec outfit and Chapman, 19, has since suspended his studies after Dean Ryan’s Sixways revolution came calling.
And the youngster has not wasted any time in making a name for himself with two tries in the Warriors’ successful Premiership 7s and an impressive start as the Warriors lost in pre-season to Cardiff Blues.
All of which has convinced Chapman that he has made the right decision in moving to the Midlands. He said: “I’ve been living a bit of a nomadic life, not staying at any club that long.
“And last year was not great, I was involved in the Bath set-up but with injury it did not end up going as I’d have liked. But hopefully I can lay down some roots here, stay injury free and make progress.
“I played in National One for Blackheath while I was still at school and a bit there last season as well.
“Throughout my school career I was training with Saracens and played a couple of games for the Storm. I then moved to Bath Uni but when the call came to come here I jumped at it and have suspended my degree, it was too good an opportunity to miss.
“And it’s been really enjoyable from a personal point of view and the club have had a great pre-season. There have been plenty of changes to the coaching staff but we have had a great time gelling as a squad. I’ve surpassed my own expectations with the JP Morgan 7s and getting a run in a first-team friendly. It was my first run out in front of the Sixways fans and I loved it.”
It was academy coach Mark Hewitt that got in touch with Chapman and offered him the chance of a fresh start at Sixways.
Now that Chapman has found a place to call home, the question is where his best position lies. Indeed the man himself, equally adept on the wing or at scrum half, admits he is none the wiser.
“I’m just happy to get out on the pitch at this stage of my career, I don’t mind where that comes,” he said. “I played in the back three up until 16 then John Fletcher with the England U18s suggested I move to scrum-half and that’s where I played for him when we won the FIRA European U20s.
“My attributes match playing on the wing, I’ve got a bit of speed and it’s nice to play where there’s a bit of space.
“You can beat a defender and also try and get on the end of things. But there are attractions to play scrum-half as well, you are always involved in the game and it is a bit more of a tactical position.
“The next year or two will provide a bit more indication as to whether I will finish my career in the back three or at No.9.
“But until then it’s about playing as a much as I can. There are examples of players before, Austin Healey for England and the South African Francois Hougaard of playing in both positions.”