Young Gun: Louis Grimoldby – Harlequins fly-half

English fly-halves with rugby league backgrounds are all the rage at present and in Louis Grimoldby, Harlequins look to have unearthed the next along the conveyor belt.
The 19-year-old – son of former Sheffield Eagles rugby league player Nic Grimoldby – has already made two appearances in the Premiership for Quins despite battling Nick Evans and Ben Botica for the No.10 jersey.
But not so long ago, much like Owen Farrell and George Ford, his future lay in rugby league. After completing his GCSEs he played league for six weeks in Australia and joined London Broncos when he returned to the UK.
However he soon switched to union, and while he slipped through the net at Northampton Saints, Conor O’Shea snapped him up after impressing on trial.
“I moved back to union because it was really big at my school, Stamford,” Grimoldby told TRP.
“During my last year I played really well and got picked for the England U18s and it all fell into place from there and I’m loving it here at Quins.
“My dad played in the forwards in rugby league but I think he appreciates the fact that I’ve steered clear of following in his footsteps.
“I always said I’d hate to go into the forwards and I’m happy being settled at fly-half – I still want to look al l right when I’m older!
“Nick Evans is my mentor and he’s been a great help in my career so far. He helps me a lot as we go through my games and he will pick things out for me to work on and tell me what I’ve done well.
“Everyone my age grew up watching Jonny Wilkinson at his best so I’ve tried to model my game on him and Dan Carter while also looking to take things from league players like Kurt Gidley and Billy Slater.
“I’ve tried to take a bit from everywhere as I appreciate all their skills.”
O’Shea hasn’t been afraid to give Grimoldby his chance and threw him in for his debut against World Cup winner Stephen Donald in last season’s LV= Cup.
He made a further two LV= appearances this season, as well as one in the Amlin Cup and two in the Premiership – most recently a run-out at Wembley against Saracens – and he’s been impressive during a recent loan spell at Richmond.
“I’ve been given quite a few opportunities since the turn of the year with the injury problems we’ve had and I’ve absolutely loved it,” he added.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given here and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“The senior players have been a great help and I’m learning a huge amount, which will hopefully stand me in good stead. I want to continue to improve and take the chances given to me.
“I played quite a few A-League games at the start of the season but it’s not quite the same as when you run out on the field in the Premiership.
“There is a noticeable step up in speed and intensity and obviously the big crowds make a difference.
“To come off the bench in a European semi-final against Saints last week was a very good experience.
“But probably the highlight of my career so far was having the chance to play at Wembley against Sarries a few weeks ago.
“Even though I came on for hardly anything just to get on the pitch in front of that big a crowd was just phenomenal.”