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FORMER Mini George Makepeace-Cubitt admits the chance to rejoin his boyhood club is ‘special’ after becoming Rams’ fifth summer signing.
The versatile three-quarter took up the sport as a kid at Old Bath Road before progressing through the London Irish Development Player Pathway and into the Senior Academy, but their sad recent troubles have created a new chapter for the former Forest School and Henley College student.
He said: “I started at Rams around Under 9s or U10s and used to do the summer camps Seb would take with the players. I remember Samir Kharbouch and I think Baker might have been there although it’s a long time ago now.
“It’s special to come home and I’m delighted to be back at the club I started at.
“Rugby is a massive part of my life and to end up playing where it began, where I went and first watched, is cool.
“Other than the stand the pitches are still the same, I remember watching Rooty when he was playing, and the club has been a part of my life the whole time.”
He continued: “It’s sad what happened to Irish, but I’m so grateful for this opportunity.
“It was another hometown club for me, and they gave me the chance to live my dream, so even though it was for a short amount of time, it’s an experience not many people can say they’ve had and I’m thankful to them.”
The England Under 19 international, who also won the Berkshire Cup with Forest while in Year 11, has already scored one electrifying try on the first-team pitch at Old Bath Road, dancing his way through several would-be Surrey defenders for Berkshire Under 20s last March.
He admitted it was a ‘great experience’ to be involved with Berkshire, albeit only for one game on their charge to a runners-up finish in Division Two of the Jason Leonard County Championship, before going on to describe his style of play.
He said: “I’d say I’m fairly versatile. My main position is full-back but I can also play on the wing, and I’ve played at fly-half at times as well.
“My footwork and skillset, being able to kick and pass, are probably my main attributes.”
The 19-year-old, who kicked 39 points in 10 games on-loan at National Two East runners-up Barnes last season, already knows some of the squad and continued: “I was at Irish with Spencer Hayhow, he was the year above me, and Max Hayman I’ve had good conversations with whenever I’ve seen him, so those two mainly.”
Makepeace-Cubitt’s first training session came under heavy rain earlier this month, but despite the miserable conditions, he ended: “It wasn’t what you expect, but I don’t know what’s worse out of running in the wet or 30-degree heat, so it works both ways.
“But it was good to get down with the boys and out there in the action.
“I’m excited to get going and hopefully add something to the team with my style of play.”
By Richard Ashton
