Young Gun: Mike Pope – Exeter and Taunton half-back

Versatility is considered an asset in most walks of life, but Exeter Chiefs‘ fledgling back Mike Pope admits he needs to make a position his own if he’s to stamp his mark at the highest level.
The 22-year-old is a bit of a nomad on the rugby field, but his ability to beat a man or deliver a devilish kick has never had him doubt his own ability.
While first-team appearances for the Chiefs have been hard to come by, the advice of coach Keith Fleming to swap from fly-half to scrum-half since his move from Bournemouth in 2010 has been taken on board at his current dual-registration club Taunton.
His performances this term have been impressive, not least because when he’s not foraging at the scrum for the Titans he’s out on the wing for the University of Exeter and at full-back for the Chiefs’ second-string, the Braves.
It’s something that Pope has relished, but realises it could be to his detriment.
“I get branded Mr Versatile, but it’s come to the point where I need to choose a position,” he said. “I want to play rugby after I finish University at the highest level, so I need to choose.
“At the moment I’m enjoying being scrum-half at Taunton, I continue to play at wing for the University and for the Braves I play at full-back. People say my X-Factor is beating players and scoring tries, and that’s suited to being in the back three really.
“I’ve been playing fly-half for most of my life, but I was asked to sit on the wing and get used to life in senior rugby at Bournemouth.
“At that point they were in National League Three, so to be playing my first season as a senior at that level was great and I ended up finishing top scorer in my first season.
“I learnt a massive amount in terms of positioning and movement, beating players and I gained a bit of pace.”
Pope was this summer entrusted with the captaincy during the Chiefs’ JP Morgan 7s campaign.
The opportunity came at the right time for Pope, who admits he faces a decisive season if he’s to force his way into the first-team squad.
“That allowed me to get my foot back in the door because I’ve had no real experience with the Chiefs,” he added.
“It gave me a great deal of confidence. Every time I approach a game now I can recall my time playing Sevens against the likes of Matt Banahan.
“I moved to Exeter University in 2009 and we get the chance to train with the senior players who aren’t involved on a Saturday so it’s really beneficial.”
Pope has already crossed one ambition off his to-do list: a try at Twickenham.
He touched down in Dorset & Wilts’ 2010 County Championship Shield victory over Leicestershire, in a team also featuring Gloucester flyer Jonny May.
“I played for Dorset and Wilts at U18 level and captained the U20 side, and making it to Twickenham with the senior side in 2010 was special,” he said.
“That was definitely one of my favourite experiences, everyone wants to play at Twickenham and I was no different, and scoring a try was one of my personal goals.”