Nick Tompkins is being tipped to join Maro Itoje on rugby’s main stage after his hat-trick sent Saracens back to Twickenham.
Five years ago the duo combined to win England the Junior World Cup in New Zealand, since when Itoje has reached for the stars while Tompkins has understudied them.
“You look at it, why am I not doing as well as Maro?” said Tompkins. “Well, I’m not a freak! And he is unbelievable.
The Saracens English, all of them, should be picked en-bloc for the RWC squad. They have an edge that no other clubs’ players have, inc. Exeter. Barrett/Loz/Tompkins are the 3 best Eng centres in the league. Wray/Goode just ignored for inferior alts. Sarries would beat England!
— Clever Trevor (@Cl3ver_Tr3vor) May 25, 2019
“You’ve got to realise everyone is different, everyone takes their own journey. But that is tough, it takes time and a bit of maturity as well.
“When you are younger you are throwing your toys out of the pram, you want to be there straight away. That’s one of the great lessons I have learnt at this club – biding my time.
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“It was unbelievable, a dream come true,” said the 24-year-old, after killing off Gloucester with three tries in 15 minutes. “I will never forget this day.”
Tompkins was actually making his 100th club appearance – and his 70 league outings are one more than Itoje has to his name.