Young Guns: Saracens & England U20 lock Olamide Sodeke
By BEN JAYCOCK
Powerful second row Olamide Sodeke is earning plaudits for his ferocious defence during the U20s Six Nations but is paying close attention to the deft hands of Ireland senior's forwards.
Sodeke, who played his grassroots rugby at Blackheath before being picked up by Saracens, possesses blistering line speed and welcomes the big collisions.
In previous generations that could have been enough to turn into a formidable lock but in the modern game forwards must have the ability to produce neat offloads and set up attacking opportunities, as well as their traditional fundamental skills.
Sodeke, 18, told The Rugby Paper: “My energy in defence is my point of difference in terms of line speed. I enjoy the physicality and pride myself on that.
“But I want to improve on my soft skills; handling, catching, passing. Being someone that offers the team that attribute is what I would like to turn into. If you look at the Irish senior team, all their players are really good with their hands. They are big and physical but also have more to their game, so they are all players I look up to.”
The naive pupil fell for a rumour at school that if you didn't play rugby you got detention in year 7 but the now towering 6 ft 9inch, 18 st 3lbs forward immediately fell in love with the game.
A breakout season for England U20s, having progressed from the U18s has ensued this season and he's been a key cog in Mark Mapletoft's title chasing side, making starts against Italy, Wales and Ireland.
He said: “It was a huge honour to make my debut. You work so hard to get into this position to play for England and when it comes you are truly grateful for the people behind the scenes; my family and Saracens, who have sacrificed so much to get me into this position.
“All the principles have remained consistent. From when you enter at U18s the terminology that's used is used throughout the U20s which means it's been an easy and smooth transition. The people playing in U20s are the same that I played with in South Africa during U18s. It's always nice seeing us grow up together and you can see that enjoyment on Friday nights.”
Sodeke is fortunate to learn off England second rows Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe at Sarries, especially as the former was a childhood hero of his.
He added: “I enjoy going to work every single day. My position is great because we've arguably got some of the best second rows in the world; Maro (Itoje), Nick Isiekwe, who are people I can look up to and allow me to master my craft.
“Maro has a really nice welcoming personality, it's easy to talk to him, ask questions and maintain a good relationship with him. The stuff he's taught me I can already see creep into my game a bit. From when I started watching rugby, he has always been someone I've looked up to, as well as people like Courtney Lawes and Eben Etzebeth.”
Sodeke will go out on loan to Championship side Ampthill following the end of the Six Nations and hopes to reunite with Mapletoft's squad for this summer's World Championship in South Africa.
He said: “I want to continue playing strong for the U20s, hopefully I can be involved in the Premiership Cup next season with Saracens and I'm looking forward to my stint in the Championship with Ampthill.”
