THEO BROPHY CLEWS’ fine form has been capped by being named London Irish player of the month for January.
The young fly-half, who has also spent time playing at centre recently, was named man-of-the-match during both his starts last month in victories over Krasny Yar and Wasps.
And the 20-year-old academy product, who will receive a Citizen watch from sponsors Waltons Jewellers, says he is really enjoying his rugby.
“I feel as a rugby player I’ve come on a lot,” he told The Wokingham Paper.
“It’s been steady progression through the whole year that is finally coming to meaning I can play some good rugby at the moment.
“I’d say I feel like I am and I’ve been given a lot of confidence by the coaching staff.”
Brophy Clews shot into the headlines during the European victory over Krasny at Madejski Stadium, scoring four tries having only previously crossed the whitewash twice in his senior career.
But he says that game was not his highlight of the last month.
“It was good fun and we made a lot of changes for that so to keep the momentum going was really good,” he said.
“But I’d actually say the Wasps game personally for me was my favourite.
“I felt I attacked the line quite a lot, I was given license to do that by the coaches which was awesome.
“I had a really good time and then eventually towards the end of the game space opened up a lot so I could put people through holes.
“I realised in the Wasps game I much prefer other people scoring to scoring myself.”
Brophy Clews will be seeking his first Premiership start of the season when Sale Sharks visit Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
And having enjoyed spells playing both at fly-half and centre in recent weeks, he offers
versatile option to Nick Kennedy.
“I do enjoy playing 12,” said Brophy Clews.
“Especially when I played outside Jacob Atkins, it’s good having two ball players on the pitch, two 10s and you can bounce ideas off each other.
“I like it because I get a bit more space and also sometimes I get whacked, so it’s kind of up and down!
“It’s definitely different. It helps from the perspective of when I’m playing at 10, I know what the people outside are thinking and I feel that helps the team generally, me having that experience.
“I think it’s a really good thing for my development.”
With three wins on the spin to end January, there were certainly plenty of choices for player of the month.
And Brophy Clews says the pack have played a massive part in recent victories.
“There’s so much work that people don’t see that especially the forwards do,” he said.
“I feel being at 10, part of the reason why I’ve been able to play well is because they’ve done so much good work.
“People like Ofisa (Treviranus), David Paice, Arno Botha, they’re making ridiculous amounts of carries and get us going forward, so it’s always easier to play off that.
“And then Scott Steele has been on unbelievable form, Piet van Zyl has done amazing when he’s come in.
“Player of the month is one of those things that someone picks and I guess it’s nice, but I’m just trying to get better every game.
“So whether I do or don’t get it, I’m just happy with playing some good rugby and doing some good stuff for the team at the moment.”
Exiles players of the month 2017/18 –
September: Blair Cowan
October: Josh McNally
November: Fergus Mulchrone
December: Alex Lewington
January: Theo Brophy Clews
