Young Guns – Tom Dye
Tom Dye has the rare ability to play both sides of the scrum and sees scrummaging as by far a prop’s most important job. The Northampton Academy forward, who is most likely going to operate as a tight-head once he reaches senior level, was part of England U18s recent tour of South Africa playing in all three games – defeats to Ireland and South Africa and victory against Georgia.
The Suffolk-born player enjoyed going up against Georgia’s renowned scrum and is enjoying his time in the England age grade setup led by Jonathan Pendlebury.
He told The Rugby Paper: “It was my first victory in an England shirt so it meant a lot. For it to come against Georgia is special because they are a really passionate country and was one of the most physical games I’ve been in. When I came off my neck was in pieces because of the scrums. It was a great win and the buzz in the back of the bus was amazing afterwards.
“It was my first experience on tour. I was selected for the Six Nations out in Parma but I unfortunately got concussed just before it, so missed out on that. South Africa is a great country and there’s a ridiculous amount of steak there as well which is so good. All the boys bonded really well, no arguments and there’s a great brotherhood in the group.”
Dye and his parents endured lengthy commutes throughout his youth rugby up to Saints training from Suffolk and recalls his enforced positional switch to the front row. He said: “It’s always been a childhood dream to play rugby professionally. I grew up two hours away from Northampton and had to drive to Bedford every Tuesday night from Suffolk. I used to play flanker and second row but after one match against Harlequins, the scrum coach moved me to prop, saying ‘you’re not going to grow up and be a 6ft 8in second row, so you’re now a prop!’. Thankfully I really enjoy it now, it’s a great position.”
While scrummaging has gone out of fashion with prop highlight reels largely showing their carrying and tackling rather than the set-piece, Dye knows how integral it is in deciding outcomes of closely fought contests.
“Being able to play both sides is the most important part of my game to nail,” said Dye. “If you can’t scrum the rest of your game is null and void, so you have to be the best you can be at that. I’m working on my carrying and then going into the second half of the season I’ll be looking at my defensive work. Playing both sides gives me a point of difference but I know I’m not going to be great at both and I will have to pick one eventually which most likely will be tighthead. Going forward it’ll give me good perception on how to beat the other position because I’ve been in it before.”
Dye is looking ahead to England U20s as his next step within the international pathway and would like to advance his career with Northamp ton by earning valuable minutes.
He added: “Short-term goals for this season I would love to be inEngland volved with U20s. I’d like to get a Saints Premier ship Cup game but it’s always difficult when you’re a young prop. Long-term
I just want a full rugby career and to get as high up in the game as I possibly can.”
