Wade hasn't surprised me - RGS Wycombe rugby coach (From Bucks Free Press)

RGS Wycombe coach tips Wade for stellar England career

9:40am Friday 15th June 2012 in Wasps By Alan Feldberg

THE man who introduced Christian Wade to rugby says he’s not at all surprised by his success and has predicted a long a fulfilling career for the devastating winger.

Wade had never played rugby when he arrived at RGS High Wycombe as an 11-year-old, but director of rugby at the time John Scourfield spotted the potential and in the following years his school reaped the rewards of that far-sightedness.

He said: “I’m not really surprised how well he’s doing.

“I always thought he was pretty special because he’s got something that most other people don’t have – exceptional pace.

“I texted him before the [midweek game against the Barbarians] to wish him luck and then texted him afterwards to congratulate him.

“I just said, ‘two starts, four tries, well done!’ and he texted straight back.”

Wade has just missed out on a place in the squad for tomorrow’s full Test against the Springboks, but Scourfield thinks a promotion to the first XV is just around the corner.

He said: “Is he good enough to play for England? Yes.

“I’m not sure he’d necessarily get much ball [tomorrow] though so I don’t know about that game but in the right circumstances, he’s ready for the full team now.

“Of the emerging wingers in the country he’s the best of the lot, without a shadow of a doubt, and I think he’s better than some of the other wingers who were capped during the Six Nations.

“I think he’ll go on to get plenty of England caps.”

Wade, like Wasps team-mate Jack Wallace, who also went to RGS High Wycombe, regularly returns to the school.

Scourfield said: “He’s brilliant for RGS. He’s not got an arrogant bone in his body and he comes back a lot.

“I’m sure we’ll get him in for a few prize-givings in the future.”