Newcastle’s Adam Radwan eager to learn from his England wing rival Jonny May
The Falcons flier is bidding to cement his place in the plans of head coach Eddie Jones.
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Your support makes all the difference.Adam Radwan is eager to learn from his closest rival as England’s fastest player when he joins up with Eddie Jones’ Autumn Nations Series squad next month.
Taking advantage of Jonny May being rested and Anthony Watson’s absence with the Lions, Radwan made an explosive start to his international career by scoring a hat-trick in a 70-14 victory over Canada in July.
Now fate has nudged the Newcastle Falcon a step closer to retaining his place after knee ligament damage sustained last Saturday means Watson could miss the entire season.
It leaves Radwan, May and Max Malins as the front line options to fill the two wing positions for the Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa at Twickenham.
If Jones is prioritising raw pace it will be highlight reel favourites Radwan and May who start, but while they have comparable speed there is a clear winner in experience terms with the Gloucester veteran poised to win his 67th cap on November 6.
When asked who is his closest rival for raw pace, 23-year-old Radwan said: “Probably Jonny, he’s absolutely rapid.
“Jonny was massive for me growing up and even now. He’s someone that I look up and I think he’s an incredible player.
“The thought of playing alongside him for England is pretty crazy. That’s a massive goal.
“Apparently his preparation is first class. He has all these caps for England and that’s probably why.
“Not only is he class on the pitch, but he does a lot of work off the pitch too. So that is why he has been one of the best wingers in the world over the past few years.”
Radwan’s Egyptian father moved to England in his 20s and strong links to the African nation remain.
“I have a bit of family in Egypt. Most of my family are in England and it’s only my dad and his side who are Egyptian,” he said.
“They had probably never heard of rugby until I started playing it. I still keep in touch with them and speak to them about it.
“I see myself as English. I’m proud to have the roots that I’ve got, but I’m very English.
“I was born in England in a little village in Yorkshire and have lived here all my life – so I’m an Englishman.”