The former Scotland Under 20s prop – who qualified through his grandfather – is back in the country following 18 months playing for Burnside in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has been delighted with the way he’s been made to feel at home in Berkshire.
He explained: “Everyone’s been looking after me, so welcoming, and everyone’s driving for a high standard – training’s been outstanding and we’re looking to play a proper quick game.
“Some of the conditioned training matches which are all about off-loads is all quite fresh – as a prop I might not be Sonny Bill Williams but it’s cool to give it a go – but if I’m there as an option that might be just as important.
“There’s the perfect balance between serious and relaxed – everything’s been good so far and I’m enjoying it, we’ve had a few beastings with the S&C but that’s all part of it and will help us in the season.”
As with many young props who arrive at Old Bath Raod, 24-year-old George is excited learn from the best as he continued: “From every club I’ve played at there have been a couple of seasoned props who have a fountain of wisdom, but James (Baker) and Ant (Marris) are above and beyond.
“Even if it’s just ‘get lower and hit harder’ it’s something you listen to and take on board – I’m looking forward to more set-piece training and learning what I can.
“In NZ we did very little set-piece stuff so I’m looking forward to that scrum training and those little one per centers which will make me a better player and help the scrum go forward.”
Introduction to rugby
Going back to the start in his native Yorkshire, former Terrington School pupil George revealed how he first got involved in rugby at Malton & Norton RFC, commenting: “Mum dragged me down there kicking and screaming, I was very upset, but when she came to pick me up an hour and a half later she couldn’t drag me away – it’s all progressed from there.”
From there the front row progressed to Glenalmond College in Perth, Scotland, beginning to make his way into regional activity with Caledonia, representing Glasgow Warriors from Under 16-18 and then advancing to their Academy.
A degree in hospitality & tourism followed from Strathclyde University, his dream of playing rugby in New Zealand coming in 2023 having helped Stirling County win the Super Six competition.
George said: “It was something I’d wanted to do for a long time, going with a mate of mine who I’d played Minis with.
“He and I had always talked about going out to see some of my family friends in New Zealand and working on a farm for a year or so, but whereas he went straight after secondary school, I wanted to get my teeth into the Academy rugby.
“But as soon as I finished Uni and my season with Stirling, we’d won the Super Six so it was good to leave on a high, I thought ‘now’s as good a time as any.’
“One of the guys at Stirling put me in contact with someone in NZ, he reeled off a load of clubs but said Burnside was the best shout, and the rest was history.”
Memorable time down under
He continued: “It was a special 18 months, some free-flowing, unpredictable rugby – back here you don’t get to necessarily make those spontaneous wide passes, but it was all very good fun.
We had a couple of Crusaders who dropped in, it was cool to play with Tomatai Williams – I actually started for the first 40 minutes before he replace me – I then watched him demolish people around the pitch in the second half!”
And returning to why he is pleased to be ready for a maiden crack at National One, George ended: “The appeal of the facilities, what the club wants to do was crucial, and the chance to play in front of the Rams’ fans made it a simple choice.”
