James Rodwell may quit Moseley for full-time rugby
By Brian Dick, Birmingham Post
May 21 2009
Moseley’s try machine James Rodwell has set his sights on move to Worcester but could still remain at Billesley Common. The pacy No 8, due to play for England in this weekend’s IRB Sevens Series event in London, has expressed his desire to make the switch to full-time rugby in order to progress his career having enjoyed a breakthrough campaign.
Even though the promising back row has spent much of his time training, travelling and playing with the national sevens set-up this term, he has still finished with 17 tries from 21 league matches he has managed for the Red and Blacks and might have ended as the division’s leading scorer had the final game against Otley not been cancelled.
Only Nottingham’s David Jackson and Bedford’s Billy Twelvetrees produced more, with 18 each, but having played in higher ranked teams and in more attacking positions.
Add to that his success of breaking into and staying in Ben Ryan’s sevens squad, which included a role in England’s Rugby Sevens World Cup campaign and Rodwell now feels he is ready to step up into the world of professional sport, whether that means staying at Moseley or not.
As things stand Mose are working on an arrangement with Worcester whereby he would continue to play for Ian Smith’s men but train on a full-time basis with the Sixways outfit.
Warriors do not have room under the salary cap to make Rodwell’s switch a permanent one but are willing to include the 24-year-old in their structure.
But while Rodwell might prefer a more straightforward move into the top flight, he accepts the deal with Mike Ruddock could be a good compromise.
“I am the process of talking with Moseley about trying to link something up with Worcester,” he revealed.
“What I am looking for next year is full-time rugby to help me develop. Before I decide whether it’s the right move I would like to talk to Mike.
“I am playing sevens for a couple of weeks so I am not in a huge rush to sort things out.
“If that is the best offer I have to be in the full-time environment and still play that would be good.
“I love Moseley and I love Birmingham and I would only leave to go for full-time rugby to try and further my career.
“Since I have been at Moseley we have progressed year on year, it’s been a great development and things are definitely going in the right direction.
“What I do not want is to go to some other club and not play. I want that full-time environment and also to play. I don’t want to go to some club in the Premiership and get loaned out to National Two. That would be a backward step.”
click here for more on this story.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
i think you will find that with the laws changing next season as to mauls etc the workhorses will be more needed.
Of course he will be missed. Unless of course we sign a big boshing number 8 that scores a shed load of tried!
Thanks
