Neil Back: Wasps RFC's Fijian-born star Nathan Hughes...

...can be a key player for England.

The future of rugby belongs to crowd-pleasers such as Nathan Hughes, according to World Cup winner Neil Back, who has compared the Wasps No.8’s antics on the pitch to a Harlem Globetrotter.

Back joined a panel of judges at Premiership Rugby’s offices to narrow down an all-star shortlist for the Green Flag Forward of the Season award, and Hughes was a unanimous selection.

Indeed for all the electrifying talent among a Wasps back-line that includes Christian Wade, Joe Simpson and Elliot Daly, Hughes is arguably the star turn of the lot.

According to Opta stats for Premiership Rugby, through 20 rounds the 23-year-old has beaten 68 defenders – solely behind Newcastle Falcon Sinoti Sinoti in that department – made 36 offloads, a league-best 21 turnovers and 19 breaks.

And Back, the Cov Kid who was an all-action forward himself in his glory days with England and Leicester Tigers, says Hughes has set the benchmark.

“Nathan Hughes for me is a young man who, having signed from Auckland last year, has I think only missed one game for Wasps this year,” he said.

“He is an absolute wrecking ball as a carrier and he’s one of the best if not the best at the contact area over the ball.

“He’s incredibly strong and has a great body position which is probably down to his upbringing in New Zealand.

“I watched him against Exeter and he was like a Harlem Globetrotter with his offloading and one-handed carries.

“It wasn’t reckless, it was high skill and that’s where the game’s going. The attack philosophy within teams is where the game is going now.

“He’s a great example for everyone of how to play the game. He gets the crowd on its feet, he’s exciting and he’s a threat. From watching him play, I felt he’s one of the best without even looking at the stats.”

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