Young Guns: Northampton Saints No.8 Tui Uru

Tui Uru’s name will not be on many lists of ‘England stars of the future’ right now but that could soon change if his current rate of progress is maintained.

Discovered in the depths of National Two South by former Northampton academy manager Simon Sinclair, Uru was recruited full-time by Saints last summer and has since been playing for Nottingham in the Championship, ramping-up his rugby education.

A Fijian built in the mould of Nathan Hughes, the powerful No.8 is now preparing to make a bid for a first team spot at Franklin’s Gardens, which could open the door to international honours for a man who has travelled an unorthodox route to the top.

Lautoka-born Uru, 22, explains: “I lived in Fiji until I was four, but my dad joined the army and we moved to Europe in 2001. He got stationed in England before going to Germany. We moved back when I was 13 and settled just outside Ipswich.

“I hadn’t played rugby before, but I and my brother joined Ipswich Rugby Club just for something to do really and things went from there. I progressed through to their senior side, represented England Counties U20s and then joined Bury St Edmunds.

“I was a bit raw and didn’t get too many games in my first season there because the transition to National Two rugby was quite hard, but I got into it after that and just before Christmas in 2018, my agent sent a video highlights package to pro clubs.

“I had some interest from Cornish Pirates and Bedford but then I got a call from Northampton and went to see Chris Boyd and Paul Shields. By the following Wednesday I’d signed and soon I was playing my first A-team game, so it happened very quickly.”

Uru added: “It was a bit daunting at first, walking past guys like Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes and thinking, ‘Wow!’. But I’ve settled in now and all the players have been great in giving me advice, while I’ve played lots of games for Nottingham as well.

“I needed that stepping stone between National Two and Premiership level so that’s been ideal and my target now is to make the next step. I want to push forward at Saints, gain the trust of the coaches and see if I can be a contender for a first team spot.”

Although not super-sized in the mould of a Billy Vunipola, Uru is around the 112kg (17st 6lbs) mark and prides himself on his ball-carrying and has the skills and offloading ability to do damage.

He added: “Size-wise, I’m not as big as Billy or Nathan Hughes but I’m a similar player to Hughes in that I’m a ball-carrier who can get around the park and I’m pretty fast. I’ve got good hands, too, and pride myself on keeping my standards high there.

“The dream is Test rugby. I’ve already done some stuff with England Counties and have lived here for a long time, so that’s probably the way I’d like to go.”

NEALE HARVEY