By BEN JAYCOCK
Versatile Harlequins outside centre Oscar Beard has broken into the first team and is hungry for more opportunities at his boyhood club.
Due to injuries in the Harlequins backline, Beard made his first team debut against Sale Sharks at the tail end of last season.
Beard said: “It was the most nervous I’ve ever been. It was announced that Manu Tuilagi would be playing but he didn’t because of a Covid notification which was very relieving, not that it matters in the long run as he hit me very hard this season. “I showed what I could do defensively and even dump tackled Dan du Preez and that was a real eye opener for me as I realised I can compete at the top level.”
Beard has played 14 games this season, scoring three tries and has shown his versatility appearing as a winger and an outside centre.
The former England U20s player signed a long-term contract in January, having been with the club since the age of 12.
He said: “With Harlequins being my local club I didn’t want to look anywhere else. I live locally, I love the atmosphere, the coaches, and the environment.
“I’ve been slowly breaking into the team and my versatility was a massive help in getting game time. Marcus Smith is 23, Cadan Murley’s 22, Louis Lynagh’s 21 and Tyrone Green’s 23 so the backline should be very tasty to be involved with. I want to play the Quins way, the joue brand of rugby; not afraid to run from anywhere, with just a little bit of structure.
“My short-term target is to cement myself in the main squad, which is difficult with three international 13s ahead of me, but I feel my ability to play other positions will help me in the long run.”
The 20-year-old attended the same school as childhood hero Jonny Wilkonson -Lord Wandsworth College – from year 7 to year 9 which added to his drive to succeed.
He said: “I loved it there because Jonny and Ugo Monye went there, and Jonny was a massive inspiration when I was really young. The first game of rugby I went to was Toulon against London Irish. We used to go on holiday around Toulon, so they were always my second team and when Jonny signed for them I was delighted.
“I managed to get tickets to watch Jonny at the Principality Stadium in his last ever game for Toulon and was just in awe of him throughout.”
Beard then moved to famous rugby school Cranleigh, where he made a name for himself as he starred in the Rosslyn Park 7s tournament reaching the final, and was victorious in the Surrey 7s and the Daily Mail Trophy in his final year.
Nowadays, Beard doesn’t like to idolise one individual but says if it had to be anyone it would be Exeter Chiefs‘ Henry Slade.
He said: “I want to play like Henry Slade. I’m quite versatile which I don’t think enough backs are. I want to slot into 10, distribute at 13 but be more physical which I think Slade does well. I basically want to be like him but with a better running game.”
