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Sam Vesty - Carrying on the family tradition
By Blake September 3 2002
Sam Vesty is one of the latest players to break through from the youth team to the first XV. Tigers is in his genes more than most.

Samuel Brook Vesty

Nickname: ?
Appearances: 4 (correct on 27/08/2002)
Position: Fly Half
Weight: 12st 9lbs (80Kg)
Height: 6' 0" (1.83m)
Date of Birth: 26/11/1981
Previous Clubs: John Cleveland College,
Honours: England 21s, England U 18s, Midlands U18, Leicestershire U18s, Leicestershire U16s, Leicestershire U14s

Sam Vesty was born in Leicester in 1981, and after his encouraging performance (as a replacement) against Biarritz in the Orange Cup finds himself the latest, after Matt Jones, Mark Meenan, and Andy Goode, to be tipped as the long-term future at fly-half for the Tigers.

Sam certainly has the pedigree for the job, being the fourth generation of his family to play for Tigers. His great-grandfather Jack Dickens, a centre and wing, made 15 first-team appearances for Tigers in 1909/10, scoring 8 tries. His grandfather Albert (Bernard) Vesty made one first-team appearance, on the wing against Blackheath, in the last game of the 1946/47 season.

His father Phil Vesty made 47 first-team appearances as a prop between 1971 –76, and will be well remembered by many older supporters. He played alongside current committee members Peter Wheeler, Garry Adey and John Allen in the famous Tigers victory against Fiji in 1973.

It is therefore not surprising that Sam should have taken up rugby at the age of 10. He continued to develop his rugby skills playing alongside Ollie Smith at John Cleveland College, (following in the footsteps of Dean Richards and Graham Rowntree), and playing for Leicestershire at U14, U16, and U 18 level.

He is a free running fly-half, with a good eye for a break, and a consistent goal kicker. With his blond hair, he has been compared in looks to a mini Lewis Moody. However, like many professional rugby players, Sam also excels at many other sports. He is an excellent cricketer, good enough to play for Leicestershire 2nd eleven at 18, and has also played tennis at county level.

A couple of years ago Sam was still playing fly-half for the Tiger’s youth team, with Mark Meenan playing for the U21s and Andy Goode for the first team. Last season, following Meenan’s departure to Bedford, Sam had the opportunity to play regularly for the U21s and Extras.

He even made his debut for the first-team in the pre-season friendly against Perpignan in August 2001, and no doubt was both pleased and surprised to be named in the Guardian’s six players to watch for 2001/2. However, with Goode and Healey battling it out for the first-team fly-half spot, his opportunity to make further headway was limited.

But the season did finish on a high note, with selection for the England U21 squad for the IRB World Championships in South Africa, alongside Michael Holford, Adam Billig, and James Buckland. Despite being disappointed with England’s final position of seventh, Sam did have the satisfaction of being selected at fly-half in several games.

This season has started very promisingly. Following the departure of Andy Goode to Saracens, Sam is now firmly established as part of the first team squad, playing against Agen, and impressing when coming on as a replacement for Healey against Biarritz in the Orange Cup.

However, Sam will be well aware that Geordan Murphy, Steve Booth, and Rod Kafer could all provide experienced cover to Austin Healey, and his place cannot be taken for granted. Rumours also continue to persist about the signing of an Australian fly-half.

Therefore, it is still too early to say if Sam will provide the long-term answer to Tigers fly-half spot. After all he hasn’t even acquired a nickname yet! But if his progress over the last couple of years is anything to go by then you wouldn’t bet against it. Tigers fans will watch his progress with interest.

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