The first beginning of Tom Roebuck for England is an adequate reward for rejecting a shortcut to test the limits with Scotland, and for being voluntarily left stranded in a service station, halfway from Manchester.
The 24 -year -old sales wing has had to be patient. He made three appearances as a replacement last year and obtained his first international attempt at the series of autumn nations about Japan.
But before being appointed on Wednesday in the alignment to face Wales, Roebuck has had no more opportunities to show his aerial skill, power and the end of Pedigrí, despite going beyond the duty of being on hold when necessary.
Alex Sanderson, its director of Rugby at the sale, revealed how the ambitious player aborted a long trip home and hastened to respond an emergency. “Tom would return to Manchester on the last Saturday,” he said. 'He was in the car with Freddie Steward and Bev (Bevan Rodd) – Freddie Steward would go to Manchester because his girlfriend lives there. They arrived in Birmingham and the phone goes. It was Steve Borthwick.
'Tom replied and Steve said: “Where are you?” Tom said: “I am close to Birmingham in the toll services (M6).” Steve said: “I will have to ask you to return: Sleightholme has woken up with a bad knee.” Bev and Freddie left him in the services of Norton Canes and left him there. He had to return an uber to London: the RFU can pick it up, right?
Sanderson spoke with Mail Sport Moments after a phone call with Roebuck, after Borthwick had appointed him in the right wing, for the end of the championship against Wales in Cardiff. “It's buzzing,” he said. 'He is really excited about that, having the opportunity to start and have the opportunity to win it (six nations). He is happy and has four of his companions on the field with him, and another in the bank.
Tom Roebuck will win its first beginning for England against Wales, a reward adjusted for its loyalty
The wing scored its inaugural international attempt against Japan, but has had no more opportunities
Roebuck aborted a trip home to respond an emergency call from coach Steve Borthwick
The asset of Roebuck's Factor is, without a doubt, his ability to win the ball in the air and an offensive against the so -called 'escort' runners has assured that he can have more impact than ever in this area. But he has a more rounded repertoire these days, which is urged to add layers to his game, to improve his test perspectives.
'He has always been blessed with his physiology; His height and athletics, and his courage to take the high balls, “Sanderson said. 'But it has improved its ability to gain collisions also because it has a great frame. It is fast, but not in the same category of speed as Feyi-Waboso or Sleightholme.
'It is not that type of player. But he cuts very good angles and, due to his size and power, he can address the donkey. He has also worked hard in his edge defense. You are using that touch line to hit the people of the field. And he can obtain ball losses with his physicality on the other side of the ball.
Joe Carpenter is the closest friend of Roebuck in Sale and the Back-back of England has a foreground view of the ravages that his partner can cause. He said: 'His defense is one of his strengths: he is a great boy; 6 feet 2 inches, 6 feet 3 inches and almost 100 kilos, so it is solid in the wide channels.
“It is incredible in the air, but what is overlooked is when it has the ball in hand: it is physical, it is strong, it is fast and in the sale we need to get the ball more, because it creates things and ending attempts.
'I hope you have the opportunity to play in a game this weekend that is like Italy, where there is fluid rugby and the boys have the ball in their hands. But if you look more like the France game when they put the ball in the air, that only helps their game anyway, because I know that it will win balls for England and take them to the front foot.
Roebuck grew up in Cheshire, but after being born in Inverness, he arrived at the selection radar for the chief coach of Scotland Gregor Towsend, who has been an expert in identifying talented players abroad who could qualify for a place in his team. An approach and a tempting offer was made, but the rookie was persuaded to follow his heart.
“Tom has not been delivered on a plate,” Sanderson said. 'This has not been easy for him. Three years ago he made offers of Scotland three years ago and there were many conversations about where he could play and where he could get the best opportunity. '
Rugby sales director Alex Sanderson said Roebuck is “blessed with his physiology”
Joe Carpenter is Roebuck's closest friend in the sale and described him as “incredible in the air”
Roebuck rejected the opportunity to represent Scotland, having been born in Inverness
So was it a close call, in terms of loyalty? “Yes, because he was leading to a World Cup and they (Scotland) said he could enter his team,” Sanderson added. “Then he said:” Who am I to reject an opportunity to enter a World Cup squad? “
“I was 21 years old at that time and said:” I might have no other chance like this, to “. But due to my faith in him and my belief, I said:” No, you will get there (with England). I think it should be with England, for all the right reasons. “
'It's English and wanted to play for England, first. I am very happy that I have done that and now you have the opportunity to start. But it has not been a fact. No one receives limits due to hard work. We both feel that this has earned. He has been knocking on the door and has received all the comments very well.
Carpenter is pleased and excited by the friend that he and the rest of the sales squad call 'Buck' or 'Young Buck'. He knows that although Roebuck is a “very relaxed type”, this is the goal that he has been chasing with pleasure and has been forced to wait for his time.
“I've been sending text messages every week, wanting to know if it is inside,” he said. 'I know he has been anxious to have his opportunity after three games from the bank for England in the last year. Sometimes it can be quite frustrating, when you are training well and playing well, and you are not receiving the rewards for it internationally. But all you can do is keep training as you can and I know it has been doing it.
'We have had many conversations about wanting to play for England. You see that many people enter and get one or two caps and then that is done, but Roebuck does not want to be one of those guys; He wants to be a regular thing in the team every time they play. He has pressed a lot for that, so I am delighted that I have the opportunity to show why it should be there. '