At 24 and on the verge of a debut for England, Ollie Hassell-Collins’s time is now.
It is hard to think of a Premiership player more deserving of a Test bow than the London Irish wing, who earned squad selection under but is yet to win a cap.
Hassell-Collins has been one of English rugby’s most consistent performers in the last two seasons and is in the running to face Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.
Ollie Hassell-Collins has been one of English rugby’s most consistent performers
‘I’m definitely confident I can make the step up, 100 per cent,’ he tells Sportsmail.
And why not?You get the feeling Hassell-Collins is ready for rugby’s biggest stage. It doesn’t get much bigger than a Calcutta Cup clash on the opening weekend of the Six Nations. If he is selected, Hassell-Collins will be part of a side starting a new era in English rugby after Steve Borthwick succeeded Jones as head coach before Christmas.
‘I’m really happy.
It was a big moment,’ Hassell-Collins said of making Borthwick’s wider Six Nations squad. ‘An England debut would be massive. I don’t know how to put it into words. You dream of that moment for a long time and if it does happen, it would be amazing. If it doesn’t, I’ll come out a better player.
I’m learning off new coaches in a new environment with new players.’
The London Irish wing earned squad selection under Eddie Jones but is yet to win a cap
Off the field, Hassell-Collins is a Harry Potter super fan. Among his tattoos is a Golden Snitch on his arm.His love of fashion — and his shock of blond hair — can be seen on his Instagram page.
Hassell-Collins is not your average latte-sipping, Call of Duty-playing rugby ace. He also takes his three cats — Betsy, Albus and Marmalade — on walks with partner Eloise.
On the field Hassell-Collins, born in Reading, has come through the system at Irish to become one of their most important players.Last season, he scored 10 Premiership tries. He has eight already this term.
Hassell-Collins is in the running to face Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday
Like all top wings, he possesses deadly pace and an eye for the line.But when they discussed Hassell-Collins in an England context earlier this month, Borthwick and defence coach Kevin Sinfield focused on the less glamorous parts of his game.
Hassell-Collins likes to take his three cats Betsy, Albus and Marmalade on walks
Hassell-Collins is excellent under the high ball.His crucial tackle on Jackson Wray against Saracens in December caught the eye of the England hierarchy.
It was a masterful defensive read and a clinical execution against a big forward. It came with Hassell-Collins’s team down to 12 players and was key to a famous Irish win. It is the only league defeat Saracens have suffered this season.
‘It was nice to hear,’ Hassell-Collins said of Borthwick and Sinfield’s praise.’I don’t know if my defence has improved, but this year I’ve put on more weight and muscle which means I’m more confident I can make dominant hits.
‘One of the things I wanted to do this season was perform at that high level consistently.That’s come with confidence, but also age. I took a bit longer to mature than others. Now I understand how important that is.
‘Sometimes I go through games and feel I haven’t done a huge amount helping the team but, when I look back, I realise I’ve done this or that well and I was in the right place.They are things others don’t see. I’m starting to understand how to get that level every game.’
Hassell-Collins is as focused as they come. His left-footed kicking could also be useful against Scotland after Henry Slade was ruled out with a hip injury.
He looks set to sign for Leicester from Irish for next season. Borthwick, Tigers coach until last month, played a big part in that deal and remains a fan. The former lock could be the first to hand Hassell-Collins a shot at international rugby.It is one he must take.
He looks ready to what do magic mushrooms look like so against Scotland and credits his use of Puresport’s medicinal mushroom capsule supplement range and CBD oils and balms with his impressive form. Scotland fly-half Finn Russell and Hassell-Collins are just two of a growing number of players using the products to help with their recovery.
‘I was a little bit sceptical,’ says Hassell-Collins.’But my body is recovering better. The mushrooms help with recovery from concussion and concentration.
The 24-year-old also takes his three cats on walks with partner Eloise (above)
‘When you are playing 80 minutes at high intensity, you can drop off a little bit.But I’m definitely feeling I can maintain that better now for a full game.’
Such comments will be music to the ears of Borthwick, who clearly likes the flying wing and will hope, if he throws him in, that he can produce some Harry Potter-style magic against the Scots.
Ollie Hassell-Collins is a Puresport ambassador.For more information visit: puresport.co