Sam Moore didn’t need his own PR officer after bursting onto the rugby scene as a teenager.
Eddie Jones invited him to train with the England set-up and said the dual-qualified and Sedbergh-educated ‘likely lad’ reminded him a bit of New Zealand’s Kieran Read.
Imagine that, being compared to an all-time great at the age of just 19.
Wales were also said to have spoken to Cardiff-born Moore, asking him to feature in their squad for the 2018 Six Nations, with Taulupe Faletau sidelined by injury at the time.
A tug of war was unfolding, then, for the 6ft 6in, 17st 5lb youngster’s services.
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But here we are, almost five years on, with Moore having started just four games of frontline professional rugby. Injuries have hammered him and then a bit more. Now, the battle is just to get back on the pitch and prove his durability in the pay-for-play arena. Forget any thoughts of Test rugby for the time being. The son of former Wales lock Steve Moore and nephew of ex-Wales skipper Andy Moore first has to show his worth at regional level.
Eleven months after joining the Ospreys from Cardiff he yet to play a game. And with his contract ending at the end of this term, the assumption is he has work to do to earn a new deal.
But there is a dot of bright news on the horizon.
The Ospreys report that he isn’t far away from making himself available for selection.
“Sam Moore is still not back out there in training,” said head coach Toby Booth.
“He’s due to be back in mid-February.
“He’s had a few setbacks and I really feel for him.
“It’s almost like trying to hail a cab at two o’clock in the morning. You’re close but you never get it until it’s too late.
“So from that point of view it’s really difficult for him.
“I’ve met with him and he’s still pretty positive and buoyant, which is good to see. I feel for him because he’s not been in a position to put his hand up and show what he can do.
“Hopefully, we can get him through and he stays fit for February and he becomes a selectable option, which will be exciting.”
There has been the odd flash of encouragement over the past couple of years. When he faced Harlequins in the Heineken Champions Cup with Cardiff last season, the 6ft 6in, 17st 5lb forward made regular dents in the then English champions’ defensive line. There was also solidity in defence.
Of course, more evidence needs to be forthcoming, m'lud, but that effort alone suggested all was far from lost for the former Everton FC academy prospect who played rugby for Waterloo RFC as a 15-year-old and impressed observers not just with his lineout ability and carrying and tackling but also with his handling skills.
But consistent good fortune is proving elusive.
“He’s had a calf injury,” said Booth.
“As he’s loaded it up, he’s broken down a couple of times, which has been difficult. It’s always two steps forward, two steps back. To get fitness into something you have to use it, but if it keeps breaking down then it’s really tough. So we’re having to be extremely cautious.”
Moore just needs a break.
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