Standing at 6ft 2in and weighing 16st 7lb, Guy Pepper’s all-action style has already drawn comparisons from Johann van Graan to one of rugby’s all-time great flankers.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
With his ash-brown hair and dynamic presence, Pepper reminds Johann of a similarly built legend who, at 6ft 3in and 16st 11lb, dominated the sport with his relentless play and skill.
“I said it when I signed him that I saw something in him, [Richie] McCaw-like, something that is different to others,” explained Van Graan after the Leicester victory on Sunday.
“He has an engine, he can go for 80 minutes – he showed that again [on Sunday evening]. He was very good.
“He came on last week and he was phenomenal. Then, I watched him [on Sunday night], 80 minutes, and I think at one stage he had three ‘poach’ turnovers in a row. He got injured at the back-end of the game, took a big knock.
“It was not even a discussion [from Pepper’s perspective] as to whether he was coming off. He was always staying on.”
“Pass the Torch” – 5 Uncapped England Hopefuls who impressed in Round 2 of the Premiership
Honourable Mention: Will Butt (Bath Rugby)
Narrowly missing out on our top five, but well worth a mention is Bath’s versatile midfielder Will Butt. The 24-year-old has had to bide his time to shine in blue, black and white, and made good on his opportunity in the win over Leicester Tigers.
Ruck’s Bath Rugby Reporter Sam Jess said: “Having had limited game time over the past few years, injuries at Bath mean Will Butt has started the season alongside Ollie Lawrence, and he is making the most of his time in his preferred position. Another brilliant defensive performance and attacking display with two major line breaks, one of which led to Will Muir’s try, helping Bath on their way to victory.”
1. Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)
One of the fastest righting prop prospects on the England radar, Afolabi Fasogbon continued to impress in his most recent outing in Cherry and White. The tight-head held his own in the scrum time battle with the experienced Test match loose-head Ellis Genge, and certainly earned the respect of the ‘Baby Rhino’. In a clip that has since gone viral on social media, Genge and Fasogbon shared a brief show of respect after the game, much to the delight of the England fans.
Ruck West Country Rugby reporter Ben Thorne said: “The 20-year-old prop was superb when he came on at half time, holding his own against the first choice England loose-head, Ellis Genge. Fasogbon won a crucial penalty in the Gloucester 22 against the Bristolian opposite him and carried well, busting a tackle in the last five minutes to get his side onto the front foot.”
2. Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
Tobias Elliott is the newest young talent taking to the StoneX Stadium, having returned to the club from a season long loan out at Championship club Ampthill. The 21-year-old wing grabbed a well taken try against Sale, and has now doubled his tally for the season after opening up his account last weekend with a stunning score against Gloucester. Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall was delighted to see his young flyer continue to impress.
“He’s doing well isn’t he.” McCall said in the post match media conference. “So he’s had two games, and not everything’s been perfect, and he’s made the odd error here and there. But he’s done a lot of brilliant things, and when he does make an error, what I’m most impressed with is how he forgets about it and does the next thing well. And that’s a really good trait in a young player.”