Rugby Union:Boy with a future in a man's world

Tony Underwood says his club colleague Jonny Wilkinson has the hallmark of class

IN A week which saw a teenage prodigy take to the football field for England another one is taking his place in the English rugby squad. Unlike Glenn Hoddle, however, Clive Woodward does not have the luxury of a friendly to introduce Jonny Wilkinson gently to an unknowing public, just the small matter of a Five Nations campaign.

Which leads to the question of just how serious is his inclusion. Does Woodward want to play him against Wales next week, next year or in the next millennium? In this day and age an announcement such as this brings not only the national spotlight on to a young man but also the world's.

A couple of years ago it happened to Paul Sampson, the Wasps wing/full- back. The aim was undeniably to bring a talented young player into the fold to show him how things work at that level without any real intention of actually playing him. Yet there was no explanation and as a result much speculation and pressure came on to those young shoulders, which ultimately bore a few scars when he returned to earth.

If, however, Jonny's inclusion means that he is to be used imminently, it raises the question of whether it is all happening too quickly. The old saying goes that if you're good enough you're old enough. But let's face it, the young man hasn't had a lot of Premiership action to show how good he is. The dilemma is being faced right now at Newcastle where we have Jonny's talent at hand yet the man he is trying to displace is one Rob Andrew, who is enjoying an Indian summer at the grand old age of 35. Professionalism and the training methods of the fitness adviser Steve Black have rejuvenated the "gaffer" and his play has helped take us to the top of the Premiership.

So when asked to comment as to how good Jonny is, I and many others up here would struggle to say on a match basis.

Before his arrival there was great concern as to what cover if any we had for Rob. Our contact with him came through the coach Steve Bates who taught Jonny in his time at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire. Steve was quietly confident and so the rest of us waited with bated breath for the arrival of the wunderkind. Any hopes of an early glimpse during pre- season were dashed as he was in Australia leading the England schoolboys on an unbeaten tour. We were therefore up and running in our league campaign before he joined us.

When he did arrive the first thing that struck you was his confidence. Not in an arrogant way but with an unassuming, level-headed and respectful air. Unfazed by the household names he was now rubbing shoulders with, he quickly earned the respect of the squad.

In training it soon became apparent that he oozed class. He is naturally composed and authoritative with an unmistakable ability to make time for himself; more speed, less haste. His ball skills are clear, no more so than on a basketball court, where he also made a name for himself as a schoolboy. This is aided and abetted by an ability to pass great distances off both hands.

His first appearance for the Falcons was in the dying minutes of a European conference pool game, where he scored with his first touch. What left me with a greater impression, though, was his aggression in the tackle.

Jonny has aspirations, which he has already stated, of in time claiming a first-team slot at Newcastle and ultimately a full England cap. Surprised by his rapid elevation to the international scene, he has it clear that he is undaunted, as he knows his time will come sooner or later. The man is confident. It is a mark of his promise that - even after seeing so little of him in a match - most of the Falcon squad would agree that Jonny has a bright future at the international level. However, he needs to be given clear guidance as to what England expect of him and left under no illusion as to where he stands.

No one here is surprised at Jonny's inclusion in the full England squad, just at the suddenness of it. His presence is creating a bubble of expectancy at the club and like Michael Owen, when the time comes I'm sure he won't disappoint.