Sam Egerton admits he is on a learning curve despite a flying start to his time as a Newcastle Falcons player.
The 24-year-old scrum-half has started in both of the club’s first-team games during an unbeaten pre-season, catching the eye in the 34-12 triumph over Championship finalists Doncaster Knights after making his debut in the 50-12 triumph over Nottingham.
That is a trend he hopes to continue on Friday when the Falcons end their schedule of warm-up matches against Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield, leading into the Aviva Premiership home opener with Sale Sharks on Friday September 2.
“I like to run with the ball, to carry and try and beat defenders,” said Egerton, whose attacking outlook is already proving popular on the terraces.
“I have been working hard on my skill set because I know there is much more to the game, but what I do like to is attack round the fringes and try to make line-breaks.
“For me at the moment it is a case of continuing to get to grips with the players around me, learning how they play, and likewise for those guys to learn how I play. I am learning my role within the team, using my assets as well as I can and against Doncaster I felt like I showed more of my own game.
“That is what I want to do, but it just gaining a better understanding of when to run, when not to run, and for the guys around me to have more of an instinct about what I am going to do. They will be able to judge when to run off me or when I am just going to give the pass, so it is really just getting your eye in.”
Admitting Friday’s trip to the Scottish capital will be a step up, the Oxford University graduate who has played club rugby for Harlequins and Yorkshire Carnegie said: “With it being pre-season we tend to focus more on ourselves rather than any huge analysis of the opposition, although obviously we do take a look.
“What we do know about Edinburgh is that they will be very competitive, they will be very direct and they have got guys who have a bit of X-factor about them. We need to shut down that side of their game, but in terms of Friday it is more concentrating on imposing our own game onto the opposition than overly concerning ourselves with what they will do.
“It is a big pitch up at Murrayfield and we are a team who want to play an expansive game. That will hopefully work in our favour with the boys we have in our side, and if we can get them running into space it could be ideal.”
Keen to use his time at Newcastle to continue an impressive upward trajectory, Egerton added: “In the space of a year I played Championship with Yorkshire Carnegie, sevens with England and Premiership with Quins, so from a development standpoint it has shown decent progression.
“I guess that experience of being at a top-flight club is part of the reason I am here now with the Falcons, and I just love it here. The set-up is fantastic and you couldn’t ask for more.”
Tickets for Friday’s game against Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm) are available from Edinburgh priced £12 adults, £8 concessions and £5 for under-18s by calling 0131 346 5180. Newcastle Falcons season ticket memberships and individual match tickets are available by calling 0871 226 6060.