BEN JAYCOCK
YOUNG GUNS
SARACENS & ENGLAND U20 CENTRE
England U20s versatile back Angus Hall is hoping his club Saracens’ transitional period will mean he’ll receive a first team call-up faster than originally thought.
Club stalwarts Owen Farrell, Alex Lewington, the Vunipola brothers and Sean Maitland are the headline departures as 16 players in total are currently heading for the exit door at the StoneX.
Hall, 18, is comfortable playing across the backline, thriving in his new position of inside centre and feels he has what it takes to break in to make his first team debut after rising through the age groups.
He told The Rugby Paper: “I played fly-half all my life until I was 15, then moved to back three until last year when I moved to centre. Having that option is really beneficial to play multiple positions.
“The future is really exciting getting a new contract this season and going in full-time with all the internationals at the club. Sarries has taught me a lot about working hard and never giving up, always making me put 100 per cent into everything. My work rate is what I pride myself on, so if I keep that going fingers crossed everything will go to plan.
“If I can do everything I can, put my name into the hat by showing what I’m capable of, who knows what opportunities could come up.”
Hall grew up idolising his teammate and fellow Swiss Army knife Elliot Daly, who is renowned for his versatility, and the Kent-born flyer says playing multiple positions is crucial in the modern game.
He added: “The way he plays is someone that I want to play like in the future. Having that triple threat option of run, kick, pass and being able to read the game in different ways, which others may not be able to. It’s been good watching him play, seeing what I can implement into my game as well.”
Having also risen through the England age groups, Hall has been welcomed into Mark Mapletoft’s U20s squad and is hoping to book a place on the plane to South Africa for the World Championship, which kicks off later this month.
“The U20s World Cup is my prime target at the moment, so I’m working towards that by getting myself in the best position possible fitness wise and through my performances on the pitch,” said Hall.
“It’s a great experience with England, the coaches give so much help and aid you in everything you can to make you the best person possible. To get the experience of being able to go abroad with a great bunch of guys is always really good.
“They are a bunch of quality players. Playing U18s on the wing and moving to centre this year has been a really good change. Being in an environment with players that have won the Six Nations, it’s really good to learn from them and bounce off them.”
Hall is pleased with his attacking prowess but is focused in the short-term on shoring up the defensive side of his game.
He said: “At the moment I’m able to be a good player in attack but I would also like to see if I can make a difference in defence by putting in big dominant collisions to win the ball back for my team, so that they can score tries and win the game which is ultimately what rugby is about.”
