Move to Glasgow suits Schickerling
It wasn’t all that long ago that Patrick Schickerling was being ear-marked as a potential England bolter, a player who was set for an exciting and dazzling career on the international stage.
Put into the spotlight by Eddie Jones in a friendly against the Barbarians at Twickenham in June 2022, it wasn’t long after that he was then jetting Down Under as part of a summer tour to Australia.
Although the then Exeter Chiefs forward did not figure against the Wallabies, the Namibian-born prop had the world at his feet, after then being named in an England training squad in September 2022, only for it to curiously disappear just ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
What transpired was that World Rugby took a closer look at the eligibility of Schickerling, who had arrived at Exeter in 2018. The results, sadly, were not good for the young prop, who was subsequently told he could not be considered for England until November 2023.
The setback was certainly untimely, particularly given the strides he had made at club level in such a short space of time. However, the international dream was fading fast and, although the player was willing to bide his time, Jones quickly moved on and that was that.
Back in Devon, Schickerling continued to press for a first team place, but with stiff opposition for the tighthead berth, his opportunities at the Chiefs were limited to the odd appearance here and there.
It left the now 25-year-old forward in a tough predicament, one which he knew he had to address. For him, that decision saw him exit Sandy Park at the end of last season and move north of the border to Glasgow, where he is now eagerly excited about his fresh start.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “I’ve actually settled in a lot easier than I thought I would. We’ve been working hard in pre-season and I am enjoying working under Franco [Smith]. You see what he has done with the club and the success they’ve had in recent years, you just back everything he says. Coming in, training has been very game-based and it feels like all of the sessions are based around things you can and would do in games. Obviously, the international boys haven’t come back in just yet, so we’re a few numbers down, but it’s given the rest of us the chance to show what we can do and build connections.”
Indeed, Schickerling is relishing his new opportunity, which will see him move away from the Premiership and into the United Rugby Championship, where he will come up against a number of new threats.
“I’ve heard the South African teams are pretty physical,” he laughed. “I’ve also heard it’s a faster pace of game, which I think I’d enjoy. I like attacking with the ball and here at Glasgow, Franco wants everyone to be able to play.
“Coming up against new teams, it’s an opportunity to learn and to play against good opposition, so I can’t wait to get started.”
But what of that England dream? “I was very disappointed it didn’t happen,” he added. “It was a weird situation, all of it. One minute I’m with the squad and next Eddie is pulling me before the Autumn Nations. I was told to go away, get some game time, get prepped again, but it didn’t happen for me.
“It’s been tough the last few years, I’ve wanted to play more, but I will always be grateful to the Chiefs for the opportunities they gave me. It was the same when I went down to the Cornish Pirates on loan, I really enjoyed it and learnt so much. Now, though, I’m excited for the next chapter and, hopefully, go over the incline again.”
