Flanker’s focus aims to keep head in the game
No pun intended, but Sam Underhill has banished any thoughts of concussion as he looks to make his second season one to remember. And the hard-hitting flanker has tweaked his game – not only to become a better player, but to reduce the likelihood of long layoffs in future. Underhill only played four Premiership matches in his frustrating first season at the Rec due to head injuries for club and country and a toe tendon tear sustained while training with England. Not only is the openside over all that, he’s fit and strong after a full pre-season and working on how to take his game to the next level. Smartness of decision-making in the heat of battle is fundamental to that. “I’ve got no reservations about that anymore,” said the 22-yearold. “It’s the same with any injury you’ve had – you put it behind you. “To an extent, I’m trying to be a little bit more conservative defensively. Making good decisions rather than going for big hits. “They might look good, but they take a lot out of you and they’re not actually that effective if the other team get the ball back. “I’ve definitely looked at tweaking the way I play a little bit and I’m hoping it works. “My breakdown presence is definitely something I want to work on this year. It’s bread and butter for a seven, so it’s something I have to judge my game on. “Defensively, being a good tackler doesn’t necessarily make you a good defender. I’m working on my defence from a bigger picture point of view... how effective I am and the decisions I’m making. “Being strong as a jackaler is great but, if you’re not good at making the decisions of when to go and get the ball, that’s what distinguishes good players from very good players.” With the likes of Springboks flanker Francois Louw as a teammate, he has a very good man to learn from. Underhill added: “Obviously I’m not going to try to copy him, but he’s exactly the kind of person I think I can learn from.” On Saturday at the Rec (4.30pm), Underhill will come head to head with the club where he came through the academy – Gloucester Rugby. With an opening-day defeat to Bristol Bears not what the squad wanted, the pressure is on not to make it two derby defeats in a row. “It’s a pretty intense first couple of games, but that’s what you want,” Underhill added. “Off the back of a disappointing result you want something to get stuck into to put it right. “I don’t think we could have asked for a much better game.” He has been impressed by the back row the Cherry and Whites are putting together. Jaco Kriel is arriving from the Lions in Super Rugby to go with the likes of Ruan Ackermann, Ben Morgan, Jake Polledri and Lewis Ludlow. “I definitely think they’ve got a good balance,” he added. “They’ve got everything they need there, really. “It will hopefully be a good competition. You want to play against a good back row to test yourself.”