Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in Championship, English Rugby, London Welsh
A quick glance down Dan George’s player profile on the London Welsh website will tell you that the hooker is still waiting to experience his ‘best moment’ at the club.
No frivolous or obvious answers along the lines of his debut, his first try or the away trip when he didn’t have to room with Mike Powell will do for the hooker, who is clearly holding out for something bigger.
Saturday, however, could change all that, as George prepares to make his 50th League appearance for the club against Leeds Carnegie at Old Deer Park.
“I’ve had some good moments and some good memories, but I think there’s more to offer at the club. I think my best London Welsh moment is still to come,” said George.
“I’d love to be at the club for as long as I can – I enjoy playing for London Welsh. It’s a great environment to be in, the supporters are brilliant and I do see a future at the club.
“The Championship is getting stronger but if London Welsh can get promoted, and I can stay with the club through that promotion, and be competitive in the Premiership that would be the perfect situation.”
A Welsh win on Saturday, and perhaps even a try for George on his milestone appearance, coupled with a victory for Wales over England at Twickenham later that day, would certainly be a memorable way to mark George’s 50th league appearance for the club.
In his second spell at Old Deer Park, George originally joined the club in 2008 just as the Exiles went full-time professional, only to return in early 2011, having spent six months playing semi-pro for Carmarthen Quins while studying Criminology at Swansea University. George concedes that coming back was a slightly odd experience.
“All of a sudden an offer’s put on a plate and it all fits in with my university, and you’re alliances have to change and you’re fighting the cause for another team,” he said.
“It was strange more than awkward, especially going straight back into professionalism after being semi-professional.”
With six months of his degree still remaining, however, the one stipulation of his return to Welsh was for George to be released one day a week to travel to back Wales to complete his studies.
He would also find himself running out for Swansea University in the Varsity Match against Cardiff University at the Millennium Stadium. Playing number eight, George scored a try to help Swansea to victory.
Cramp would bring his afternoon to an end five minutes before the final whistle, where upon he was replaced by his brother Greg.
“It was nice to enjoy no pressure rugby and to play with Greg. To play in the Varsity Match in front of 15,000 drunk students, the noise was unbelievable and it was such a great atmosphere,” said George, who has no intention of challenging for the number eight jersey at Welsh.
“I was just enjoying it – it was a chance to run around. Not many of the boys are professional, so they put you in the positions that have the most influence on the game. It was just a chance to go out and enjoy myself and play a bit of rugby.”
Despite that interlude in his London Welsh career, George has seen many changes at the club since he first arrived, both on the field and off it.
“It’s changed so much – it’s unbelievable. We’d train very hard but there was a gang of about 20 of us – early twenties, late teens – and there was a very good social aspect to it,” he said.
“We had a good bunch of young guys from everywhere – Gavin O’Meara from Ireland, Peter Murchie from Scotland, and a few Welsh boys.
“It was a load of young talented rugby players all living in London, so it was easy to fit in and it was a good Craic.
“Four years on, the majority of the boys who were there are now either married or engaged, and I’m getting married in June.
“It’s gone from being a club with a lot of youngsters to having a more mature feel to it – the club has developed.”
As for head coaches, George has played under them all in that time – Martin Jones, Danny Wilson, Phil Greening and now Lyn Jones. For George, they’ve all brought something different to the table, but one aspect of the club has always remained the same.
“Each coach has had their own take on rugby and how the game should be played, but ultimately they’ve all played an open expansive flowing style of rugby, which fits very well with the London Welsh ethos,” said George.
“No matter who’s been at the helm, we’ve always played good rugby and attractive rugby – we’ve thrown it around about it.
“I think that’s what Lyn’s done well this year; he’s taken what we’ve done well but added that little bit of force up front.”
Closer inspection of George’s profile on the club website will reveal a definite zero in the try scoring column for this season – Saturday wouldn’t be a bad time to put that right.
Wales have made two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s re-scheduled RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland to be played at Ashbourne. (KO 2.30pm).
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