Anthony Allen’s dazzling ride on whirlwind ends too soon

Anthony Allen reflected this week on the ‘whirlwind’ of his rugby career that promised so much  yet ultimately ended at the age of just 28 with a wrecked knee.
By his own admission, the Gloucester and Leicester centre was ‘picked too early’ for his two international caps in 2006 and was then cast aside.
But his domestic performances throughout his professional career rarely failed to catch the eye, with a stream of mercurial tries to   remind everyone why he had been earmarked for international rugby so early.
Allen went from gracing the 1st XV pitch of Millfield School to facing up to Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and, ironically, future team mate and new Leicester coach Aaron Mauger, in the space of 15 months.
Speaking to The Rugby Paper, he said of his progress:  “I’d just come out of school and I’m playing for England, it’s crazy really. I had a photo on my wall of the England U19s team in the summer of 2005 (featuring the current England captain Chris Robshaw); the next autumn I made the England squad. It was incredible to get that opportunity – it all happened so fast.
“Looking back now I definitely wasn’t ready. I was very naïve.”
Despite his baptism of fire against the All Blacks (losing 23-19 in a thriller), Allen remains positive about his brief international introduction. “I’d never have changed it or done anything differently, and I’m grateful for Andy Robinson for picking me.”
Allen was part of the team that lost to Argentina 25-18 the following week and that was that, until the tour of South Africa in 2012 when he played in the non-cap midweek games. A combination of bad luck, injury woes and strong centre competition truncated Allen’s international career.
Injuries caused him to pull out of various England squads, most notably for the tour to Argentina in 2013, and, despite stellar performances in those midweek games in South Africa, he was unable to claim back a regular Test spot.
Despite this, Allen views his career as one with few regrets, and many highlights. His time at Tigers saw two Premiership titles and six consecutive top four finishes in the league
“Being Man of the Match in the Premiership final in 2013 (a 37-17 victory over Northampton) and getting 100 starts for Leicester and the cap that goes with it were both very special,” he said.
“I’m gutted we didn’t get much further than the quarter-finals in Europe, but the internationals we had at Welford Road against South Africa, Australia, New Zealand Maori and the Barbarians were all good games to be involved in.”
His knee injury, though, proved the one opponent he could not overcome and he played just 11 matches last season.
“The competitive edge is still urging me to get out there,” he said. “But it’s not fair on my body to persevere with rugby, with constant bone bruising and bone on bone contact only going to cause longer-term damage”
Allen is quick to acknowledge the influence of other players on his career.
“Olly Morgan and James Simpson-Daniel at Gloucester, and Geoff Parling at Tigers are great friends and players. I’ll remain close to Olly for a long time.”
Allen lists his first coach at Tigers, Matt O’Connor, as the most influential in his career. “Matt’s the one who helped me so much. If Matt and Cockers (Richard Cockerill) hadn’t been coaches at the time I may never have come to Leicester. I grew up as a player working with Matt and Cockers,   maybe one day I’ll work with them as a coach!’
Allen is “in talks” with Leicester about a role within the club, hopefully confirmed “in the next couple of weeks”.
“If that doesn’t happen,” says Allen with typical good humour, “I’ll be looking for another job – a real job!”
WILL WILSON