Ahead of the Singha Premiership Rugby Sevens Harlequins Centre Joe Marchant took the time to speak to Last Word on Sports
Hi Joe, last year you won player of the tournament in the pool stage, does that bring any added pressure to perform this year?
Yeah a it’s a lot of added pressure, I try to focus and just move on from that and try and have a good performance on the day and bring that through.
After your sevens success last year, how important is this platform for up and coming players to prove their abilities under pressure?
It’s a good platform for the young players to perform, it was good for me as it was the first thing I did with Quins properly, and from there more opportunities came around. For the other guys coming up, hopefully it will bring opportunities for them as well.
After last year’s tournament you went on to star in the U20s Six Nations and make your senior debut for Harlequins, what are your personal goals for this season?
Hopefully to make a few first team appearances, to be a regular starter in England U20’s for the Six Nations and the World Cup, which is in Manchester this year so a home one. Also I’m on loan at London Scottish so to be a regular starter with them as well.
You face Saracens, Wasps and Northampton in the pool, as you did last year, who is the biggest threat?
I think Wasps, they have announced their team already they have a good side out, good players out, so just have to manage the exciting players and put in a good performance ourselves as well
You have previously mentioned Jordan Turner Hall as your mentor, how has he influenced you?
He has helped me loads with training, gone through extras, gone through video clips, and helped me understand where I’ve gone wrong and where I can change that and become a better player.
What will his retirement mean for you and Harlequins?
It’s a real shame that he has retired, it will be a bit worse for me as I’ve lost him as a mentor but there are other guys like George Lowe who I will be able to talk to and go through my stuff with him and hopefully he will set me in the right direction as well.
Thank you Joe for your time and good luck at the Singha Premiership Sevens
Player profile
Joe Marchant
Position: Centre
D.O.B: 16/07/96
Height: 1.83M
Weight: 89KG
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