Young Gun: James Chisholm – Harlequins back row

A week after Alex Gray told The Rugby Paper that he could make the move from No.8 into the centres, another England age group youngster, James Chisholm, reveals the opposite move helped his career gain momentum and earned him a full-time deal with Harlequins.
The 18-year-old, brother of Quins full-back Ross, switched from midfield when he was playing U15s level, and after nearly three years in the back row, he believes he made the right decision with his efforts in the England age group sides earning Chisholm a place in the Quins academy for next season, having already been involved in their A League success this season.
He said: “I’ll be moving in with my brother and Luke Wallace in the summer so that should make it a little bit easier.
“Having Ross, who has been through it all, is an advantage. He and my middle brother Ali were a bit quicker, and I think long-term Quins had always seen me as a back rower rather than a centre.
“I made the change playing for Sussex and it went from there. I really enjoy it, you’re more involved in the game and the two positions are becoming more similar.
“There are things I need to work on. I got some advice from Peter Walton, one of the England coaches, who said to try keepie-uppies against a wall to help my work at the base of the scrum which has made a real difference for me.”
It’s been quite a start to 2013 for Chisholm, who followed up captaining England U18s to success at the FIRA European Championships with a try in the U19s win away in France last weekend.
And having already picked up four wins in as many games against the French he’s obviously found a team he enjoys playing against.
This summer will offer the opportunity to take on a different calibre of opposition, with the U18s heading to South Africa, and Chisholm is desperate to be involved.
“It’s been great for us to follow up the win in the FIRA tournament out in France with another win over there with the 19s,” he added.
“It’s not too difficult switching between the teams, it’s a lot of the same coaches and we try to play a similar style. It’s been pretty successful so far and with a trip to South Africa in the summer that is really exciting.
“I’m really keen to be involved because we know that it’s one thing to win in Europe, but going to beat the best teams in the Southern Hemisphere is a completely different challenge.”
While Chisholm’s achievements on the pitch have caught the eye, it’s not just with the oval ball that his talents lie, having become Sussex high jump champion last year.
He added: “Last year one of the athletics coaches at my college told me to have a go at the high jump and it went pretty well for me.
“I’m probably a bit heavier now so I don’t know if I would be as good but it’s definitely useful when it comes to being a lineout option.”