All Blacks masterclass for quick-learner Tom Smallbone

Learning the dark art of scrummaging can be tough for a young prop but, after a summer in New Zealand with the Franks brothers, Tom Smallbone is ready to take the Premiership by storm.
The London Irish loosehead, 20, won the Junior World Cup with England in 2013 before breaking into the Exiles’ first team last season for a total of four appearances including two in the Challenge Cup.
Keen to help their 6ft 2in, 18st (115kg) youngster fulfil his potential, forwards coach Glenn Delaney sent him to his old club in New Zealand where he trained alongside All Black stars tighthead Owen and loosehead Ben Franks for 15 weeks.
“Glenn got in touch with Limwood in New Zealand and the club sent me there to broaden my horizons,” Smallbone told The Rugby Paper.
“That’s where the Franks brothers learned to play their rugby and they often go back there when they can. Being based in Canterbury I worked a lot with Owen on my scrummaging but also on my skills and in the gym.
“As a youngster, you can’t ask for much more than being tutored by two of the best props in the world. I often packed down against Owen and Ben would be watching and giving me feedback on the spot. I’ve changed my feet positioning because of it and I feel a lot more confident.
“Props have to be more mobile nowadays and be able to carry and tackle like a back rower so I’ve been on that quite a lot down there, too.
“It was a great way to spend the off-season. I’ve learnt a lot while there and it gave me a new perspective on rugby. Their professionalism is second to none and I’ve now seen what it takes to become a Test player so hopefully I can apply it now I’m back in England.”
Smallbone made his first appearances of the season in the LV=Cup earlier this month and, after strong displays against Leicester and Wasps, he is eager for his chance in the Premiership.
While he was involved in the Anglo-Welsh competition he also watched his old roommate Anthony Watson, with whom he won the JWC in 2013, make his England Test debut and Smallbone has earmarked the 2019 World Cup to link up with the Bath flyer once again.
With Joe Marler, Matt Mullan, Alex Corbisiero and Mako Vunipola all under the age of 27, England are blessed with with their loosehead options, and Smallbone hopes the London Irish and England coaches will believe in youth when it comes to him, too.
He added: “It was good to get involved in the LV=Cup especially in the first game when I came up against Fraser Balmain who’s got lots of Premiership experience.
“I thought I did well and I learned a lot from these two games. Hopefully it kick started my season and by the end of it I want to be an established Premiership player.
“I’ve been playing with Anthony since we were nine at London Irish so to see him make his Test debut this month has given me the drive to push even harder. If he can do it I’d like to think I can, too, coming from the same system.
“Playing in the 2019 World Cup is the absolute goal and I want to play for England as soon as I can. But to do that you have to play well in the Premiership.
“There’s competition at loosehead with a lot of young props already playing for England but that also means that coaches trust youngsters more and more and I’m ready to state my case.”
NICK VERDIER