LIST | 5 Things to Know About England Debutant Ollie Thorley
Rugby NewsTuesday, 03 November 2020 at 10:22
Ollie Thorley made his long awaited England debut from the bench in England's delayed final Six Nations match against Italy, to become the 2020 Six Nations champions
Here are five things you should know about the 24-year-old Gloucester speedster.
OLLIE THORLEY FACTS:
1. Record-breaker
Thorley made his professional debut at age 17, becoming the youngest player to play for Gloucester in the professional era when he played the full 80 minutes, partnered with World Cup winner Mike Tindall in a Anglo-Welsh Cup match against Northampton Saints in November 2013.
2. Speed
The speedster, who captained his school athletics team, has the fastest 100m speed of any player in Europe. Thorley – who ran the distance in 10.6 seconds aged 16 – is even faster than teammate Jonny May.
GET THE NEW ENGLAND JERSEY
Get kitted out to support Thorley and his England teammates during the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup with the Umbro RFU England Home Replica Jersey Men's 20/21.
3. Famous family
Thorley is the great nephew of Martin Britt, a former football player who played as a striker for Blackburn Rovers from 1961 to 1966. His aunt is the TV presenter and model Eku Edewor. He's also Itoje’s cousin, after his grandfather remarried a Nigerian woman who is the Saracens lock’s aunt.
4. Car
A huge fan of classic cars, he's been pictured tearing up the roads in a Morgan Three Wheeler. Two years ago, he also bought a 1956 Morris Minor Traveller for £4,500. It cost him about £500 a year to maintain and then he probably spent about £1,000 on upgrades.
5. Big purchase
The winger spends £1,500 a month on professional services – from experts who use sports psychology and massage to help him improve his performance. He also recently bought a £4,000 sauna which he built himself.
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Who'd win a 100m race between the fastest rugby players on the planet
7. VIRIMI VAKATAWA - France - 11.3 SECONDS
He truly is such a talented player. The Fijian-born French International has played at an unreal level for Racing 92 of late and will be a key part of Les Bleus World Cup campaign. His speed and power make him a unique player.
6. JACOB STOCKDALE - Ireland - 11.35 SECONDS
In March 2018, Stockdale received the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Tournament Award after setting a try-scoring record of 7 as Ireland claimed the title and won their first Grand Slam since the 2009 victory. Unplayable on his day.
5. ANTHONY WATSON - England - 11.2 SECONDS
Once ran a 100 metres in 11.2secs at a school sports day and his raw pace saw the 21-year-old have a trial for Premier League giants Chelsea. Helped England Under-20s beat Wales in the final of the 2013 Junior World Cup before making the step up to the Test side.
4. JONNY MAY – England – 10.71 SECONDS (100M)
The speedster clocked 10.71 for the 100 metres. With a strong argument to be England’s quickest wide man ever, May is gradually improving his finishing prowess and is now arguably the first name on the teamsheet for head coach Eddie Jones.
3. CHESLIN KOLBE - South Africa - 10.7 SECONDS
2. OLLIE THORLEY – England – 10.6 SECONDS
Lightning speed - he ran the 100m in 10.6 seconds aged 16 - and an eye for the try line. Thorley is also an eccentric character as highlighted in this recent interview by Sportsmail's Nik Simon.
1. SBU NKOSI - South Africa - 10.59 SECONDS
Comes with a deceptive frame, which makes him a stocky 97kg, despite being 2cm shy of being 1.8m tall. Couple that with the speed that saw him clock 10.59 seconds over 100m and the footwork that make him almost impossible to defend against at times.
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