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Gallagher-Prime Minister
Dan McFarland admits that Ollie Leatherbarrow was the first to shock Scotland call for Nations Championship Red Bull gives wings to the sides.
Leatherbarrow, 24, who started his career in Devon at Exeter University and Exeter Chiefs represented Scotland at U16 and U20 level through his Perth-born grandmother.
Although he has only started once this season, he has scored a try in Challenge Cup against the Scarlets, Gregor Townsend named him in his 37-man squad ahead of Scotland’s games with New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield and then the final weekend at Twickenham.
Leatherbarrow play at open flank, where Tom Christie has been superb since joining the club, and at blind flank, where Max Hicks has caught the eye this season but produced some stunning performances off the bench to earn the call-up.
Newcastle Boss McFarland admits Leatherbarrow epitomizes the improvement the club has made this season since bringing in over 20 new players in the summer.
“I think that would probably be a good way to put it. With Oli, it’s a combination of effort and competitiveness. He’s a great athlete. His ball-carrying is his super strength, but playing in the back row is multi-faceted.”
“You have to be able to go through a lot of work, and he’s done that. I think he’s got special moments in him, so you never characterize him as a grafter because he’s not just that. He works hard, but he also has special moments.”
“I know we’ve had a number of players who are on the radar of international teams right now, and if you don’t play competitive rugby, those guys don’t get a look.
“A big part of Red Bull is giving people wings and we have a lot of ambitious young men. Many of them want to play for their country and that’s my personal aim to support them in their pursuit of their ambitions to play for their countries,” he told RugbyPass.