England bolter attracting Steve Borthwick interest ahead of summer tour after ‘rapid development’
Exeter Chiefs winger Paul Brown-Bampoe with an inset of Steve Borthwick
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has revealed winger Paul Brown-Bampoe is attracting the interest of England boss Steve Borthwick, and feels he could be a bolter in his touring party to the Americas.
The Durham University graduate has hit the ground running in his maiden professional campaign with the Devonians, scoring 18 tries in 19 appearances in all competitions.
‘I know Steve is keen on talking to him’
Brown-Bampoe has enjoyed a pretty meteoric rise this season, his first in the professional game. After a brief run in Baxter’s side early on in the season, he was sent on loan to Plymouth Albion, but returned from Brickfields an improved player and has since scored 11 tries in as many games for Exeter.
His form, particularly in those 11 games, has since seen him catapult into the England conversation ahead of the summer tour, and speaking to the media ahead of Exeter’s visit to Gloucester, Baxter detailed his belief the winger could easily find himself on the plane.
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“You could describe him as an England bolter,” Baxter said. “He scores tries and plays well most weeks, and that’s what it takes. He is certainly someone who will be there or thereabouts.”
He added: “I know Steve (Borthwick) is keen on talking to him.”
The Chiefs boss also detailed he’s been surprised at the rapid development of his latest breakthrough star, but puts it all down to the back’s hard work.
“He is a very grounded guy who has thought about what he needs to do to develop,” he said. “Has the speed of his improvement surprised me? Yes, but he’s backed himself and thrown himself into everything.”
“There is nothing wrong with England having an interest in him, because that’s how rapid his development has been.”
Baxter’s comments also mirror that of new head coach Rob Hunter, who was again full of praise for the 6’3″ back after his brace against Premiership leaders Bath on Saturday.
“He is already (a big player for Exeter), he’s attracting a lot of interest as your best players always do,” said Hunter. “He’s an incredible talent, a joy to work with and probably our most improved player, considering I was watching him against Exeter University a year and a half ago.
“It’s exciting every time he touches the ball. I think we need to just get the ball to him, it’s a really important thing for us to have a game plan that brings these guys into it rather than standing on the edge.”
