Hooley prepared to play Northampton Saints waiting game

Will Hooley

Will Hooley knows he must be patient for his chance to shine in the Northampton Saints first team but the fly-half believes he is ready to do so when called upon after gaining vital experience with England’s under-20s in the summer.

The former Leys School pupil got his season up and running in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s series at Franklin’s Gardens.

But he was unable to help Saints progress to next week’s finals as they were beaten by Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers and eventual group winners Newcastle Falcons.

Hooley (pictured), who was dual registered with Cambridge last season, faces fierce competition for a starting role as both Stephen Myler and new signing Glenn Dickson are above him in the Saints’ pecking order.

But the 19-year-old insists after Six Nations and World Championship success with the under-20s last season he is willing to wait for his turn to arrive – all the while learning off his colleagues.

“As a fly-half it is tough at Northampton. Obviously we have Stephen Myler and a new fly-half in Glenn Dickson from New Zealand who is a good, strong player but ultimately I have to be patient,” said Hooley.

“I want to challenge for that first-team role but as a young guy you have to wait your turn and learn from the more experienced guys as much as you can.

“Stephen (Myler) has done a fantastic job, has got his first England cap and thoroughly deserved it through his consistency in the Premiership and as a young fly-half it is good to try to get to his level.

“It was good to get out there and play some sevens to start the season. It is not often as a youngster you get the chance to come to Franklin’s Gardens to play in front of a big crowd and I think that spurs you on but unfortunately results didn’t go our way.

“It could have done if it wasn’t for two last play of the game tries but that is sevens and it was a great way to start the season. You always strive towards playing in big tournaments and the experience was great.”

Hooley was in the Northampton academy side that reached the semi-finals of the A League last year.

And with many before him in the England under-20s having progressed to senior international rugby, Hooley is confident if he keeps training hard his time will come.

“We had a good A League last season with getting to the semi-final and then getting with the England Under-20s was great as well,” he added.

“You want to keep progressing and the under-20s was a great step up and doing well there you can see the path through to the Saxons and the national squad but there is a long way to go.

“You have to look at the likes of Jonathan Joseph and Mako Vunipola working their way through and hopefully I can do that but I will have to be patient.”

For tickets to the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Series Final at 7pm on Friday, 9 August at The Rec, Bath visit: bathrugby.com/tickets

Hooley prepared to play Northampton Saints waiting game