ZAMBIAN No. 8 Willo Bicknell believes he has ‘a lot more to give’ as he steps into a National One environment for the first time as Rams’ third summer signing.
The former Leicester Tigers Academy man switches from neighbours Oxford Harlequins, having captained them to a best-ever finish in their maiden campaign in National Two East.
The former Oxford Brookes University RFC President and skipper admitted it was tough to leave ‘a great group of guys,’ but is relishing the chance to have a crack at Tier Three.
He explained: “It’s a huge challenge, but I’m incredibly excited to be part of Rams.
“There are huge shoes to fill because I’ve heard so much about a club legend in Robbie (Stapley) and then (retiring) James (McRae), those guys have been around for a while, but if I get the chance, I’ll do my best to put my own stamp on the club and do them justice.”
He continued: “It came about after I had good game against Dorking where I got a hat-trick, Seb must have seen the video and then contacted me after the season – when I spoke to him, I was so impressed by his mindset.
“He made it clear about trying to provide the players with the best environment and coaching to develop, from the gym to the indoor arena, it’s so impressive.
“The whole of ethos of improving players I really buy into because I feel I’ve got a lot more to give.
“I’ve known Ant Marris for a while through county rugby, Morgan MacRae socially, and have followed Rams since I moved to Oxford Brookes – I believe now is the time to have a go at National One.”
Revealing what he hopes to bring to OBR, the 24-year-old added: “The ball-carrying element is a massive part of my game and something I pride myself on – it’s probably what caught Seb’s eye initially, and hopefully the fans will like the hard, abrasive style I like to bring.
“I’ve always seen myself as a leader or part of leadership groups, I feel comfortable there and believe I get the best out of myself with responsibility.
“I’m vocal, like to go from the front and I want to add to any environment I enter – but this is a big challenge for me coming into Rams.”
Flicking the clock back to Bicknell’s early life, it is a unique path to Old Bath Road which saw him take up the sport at an American school in Zambia, ‘playing bare foot with the old-school rugby jerseys.
“It was very hot, very different to playing in the UK, and we weren’t a school known for our rugby – there were only one or two teams so as a bigger child I played a few age groups ahead, as an Under 9 I was with the U13s or 14s!”
A cross-continent move to boarding school at Wymondham College in Norfolk saw the back row spotted by the Leicester DPP and Academy, who subsequently helped a move to Langley School which provided further great memories.
He explained: “I had some good times with some serious rugby players.
“I lived with a guy called Tom Smith whose at Doncaster and we won the Schools Under 18 Vase by beating Wirral Grammar in my final year – they had Tom Roebuck in their side – so it was special.”
Next stop was Southern Districts in Sydney – ‘a great experience’ – before a return to the UK at Brookes.
Another Sliding Doors moment arrived early on at Oxford, with the No. 8 admitting: “I wasn’t going to play any rugby, but after joining I realised I missed it, so rocked up to 3rds and 4ths training and was quickly told you probably can’t be here.
“So instead, I played my first season as a fresher in the first team before Covid hit, which was tough.
“Then I went back to Zambia and didn’t play for a while because when I came back, I broke my ankle, so it was really only the start of the 2022/23 season I got back into it.”
By this point the Oxford Brookes/Quins connection saw Bicknell playing for both, helping his club side to unprecedented success during the next three seasons.
And he said: “We had a good core group of lads – when I first joined we were at Level Six and got promoted, and then we had a season in Regional One London South East which was tough.
“Sides like Camberley, Havant, London Welsh were strong, we finished fourth but then got switched to the Midlands league and it meant we were battle-hardened.
“We won games when we needed to and sealed it with two games to spare – it was a great feeling to do it like that because the club needed it and everyone enjoyed being a part of it.”
He continued: “Last season in Two East was also very good fun. For a club who’d never been at that level before it was tough pre-Christmas, a lot of guys were having to get used to the physicality and pace of the game and it was a big learning curve.
“As captain it was tough for me not winning and trying to find ways to gee up the boys, but along with head coach Pete Davies we called a meeting and told the guys “if you muck in, we’ll turn it round” and then we went on a four-match winning streak – then everyone realised they were good enough to be there.
“We had the ability and that ultimately put distance between us and the sides below, and beating sides like Dorking and Bury St Edmunds was brilliant.”
And the African, who works in sales in Henley, is ready to throw himself into pre-season with the ultimate aim of gaining a starting spot, mainly to get the chance to play in front of the Rams supporters.
He ended: “I’ve seen videos and pictures of the crowds and to get the chance to run out at Old Bath Road would be massive.
“There’s an incredible following, it’s such a part of the community and to be part of that and hopefully showcase some good rugby would be amazing – it’s a big motivation for me.”
