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Louis Rees-Zammit (top left) and Harry Mallinder (top right) are swapping rugby for American football – NFL
Louis Rees-Zammit’s defection to American football on the eve of the Six Nations invaded the public consciousness in a way that rugby union rarely does. It caused excited questions to ping around mobile phones. Why was the Wales wing, already a British & Irish Lion and a burgeoning star of the sport at 22, giving it up for a spot on the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP)? Can he prosper Stateside as a running back or wide receiver?
Many will follow the progress of Rees-Zammit closely. Rugby aficionados will also be intrigued by the exploits of Harry Mallinder and Darragh Leader. Both represented their respective countries, England and Ireland, at Under-20 level and are aspiring to become kickers or punters. Two less familiar rugby players, though, may have better shots of cracking the NFL. George Smith has joined the IPP from Coventry, having been recruited by the Championship outfit two seasons ago from Old Redcliffians, the fifth-tier Bristol outfit where Ellis Genge learned the game.
George Smith (centre) stands 6ft 9in and weighs around 19st 11lb – Coventry Rugby
Travis Clayton is another IPP inductee. He was with Basingstoke in Counties 2 Hampshire, at level eight of the pyramid (watch Instagram post below).
Both Smith and Clayton are large men. The former, a lock, stands 6ft 9in and weighs around 19st 11lb (277lb). Clayton, a pacey wing, is a shade under 6ft 7in and weighs 20st 12lb (292lb). They will be learning how to protect quarterbacks as offensive linemen. It was in this role, at left tackle, that Jordan Mailata, who played rugby league in Australia before becoming the IPP’s greatest success story, started Super Bowl LVII for Philadelphia Eagles.
Jordan Mailata made the transition from rugby league to NFL – Getty Images/Elsa
Offensive linemen require immense power and mobility as well as intuitive knowledge of play patterns. Osi Umenyiora,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/planet-theory-lonely-moments-lies-115338717.html
Author : The Telegraph
Publish date : 2024-01-24 11:53:38
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