ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Huge opportunity for young prodigy

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Friday May 13, 2022

It’s not been the easiest couple of years for young Jacob Umaga.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 23-year-old had a blinding 2019/2020 season with Wasps, guiding them all the way to the Gallagher premiership final. These performances gave Umaga the chance to team up with the England national side in that summer’s training camp.

Since then however, Umaga has seen himself eclipsed by other young players, such as Marcus Smith for England and Charlie Atkinson being preferred in the ten shirt for Wasps.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marcus Smith (@marcusmith10)

This was partially down to the torrid run of form Umaga had post-England camp. His confidence seemed to be shaken, his decision-making all over the shop, and mistakes coming thick and fast.

The fortunate thing about being such a young player with huge talent is however, fortunes can quickly change.

ADVERTISEMENT

For 23-year-old Umaga, it’s not been an overnight transition, but a transition nonetheless. Experienced playmaker Jimmy Goperth was given the reins again at fly-half for a time, and then 20-year-old Atkinson was brought through as an emerging talent.

This allowed Umaga to work on his skill sets without the added pressure that fly-half brings.

Known to possess electric pace and the ability to read a game like very few others, Umaga has started to regain his confidence.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by QB1 (@jacobumaga)

ADVERTISEMENT

He has since transitioned into an all-court player. Often using those skills at full-back, but also showing up in the centres in his only England appearance to date.

With comebacks, do come setbacks, and a couple of red cards for high tackles in consecutive games did not help his case. This being said however, in a recent interview with RugbyPass, Wasps head coach Lee Blackett had the following to say:

“Like anyone Jacob just wants to play, so he was frustrated.

“He did a lot of work on his technique trying to make sure he doesn’t make the same mistake. I saw something with Shaun Edwards the other day where he said about the players, it’s that split last-second decision and it is the difference between a red card and a good tackle now. He got a couple wrong, didn’t he, and as a result spent a fair amount of time on the sideline, but I have been happy with him coming back at 15. It gives us another pivot in the backline, a decision-maker, so I have been really pleased where he has come back and how he has come back.”

Having been used as a substitute in last week’s clash with Edinburgh, Umaga faces up against Lyon in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final this weekend.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wasps Rugby (@waspsrugby)

Starting at full-back, this is a huge opportunity for Umaga to show what he can do on the European stage.

With one eye on this summer’s tour to Australia, a couple of quality performances could genuinely put him back in Eddie Jones’ sights.

An exciting player to watch, this could very well be the springboard his career needs to reach the next level.

Related Articles

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Bristol Bears break 20-year record with victory...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks star Jordie Barrett discusses...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Gloucester's next 'Rees-Zammit' scores incredible...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 131 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All