Fynlay Is Proof Bishop Burton Link Is As Strong As Ever

This season’s recruitment emphasises once again the importance of the Bishop Burton connection. It’s a well worn path with players like Ali Heard and Mike Jobling making the same path a few years earlier. Fynlay Hobson is one of the latest to make the journey and his performance at Darlington Mowden Park recently shows how valuable he will be to director of rugby Mike Umaga, who will have worked with him at the college. Against the National One side, Hobson played at full-back, his favourite position, but he is just as good on the wing. Highlights against Darlington included a superb try-saving tackle early in the second half and his creativity was highlighted by his astute kick through for Mike Adlard to send fellow winger Brandon Norman over from close range. Fynlay was happy with how the friendly went and explained his hopes for the season.

“I thought the Darlington game went well, we did well as a group. We came out of the blocks were quickly and we took our foot of the gas a little bit in the second half. 
“Started as a junior at Old Brodleians, from U12sto U15s. Went to the Yorkshire Rugby Academy for U16s and U17s and then onto Yorkshire County. 
“Then I played at Bishop Burton and then to Hull RUFC. 
“I played a lot of men’s rugby last season for Old Brods, it wasn’t so much about the physicality, more the speed of the game. 
“I can play full-back or on the wing, but I prefer playing full-back, so I can have more of a free role. 
“I want to get at least five starts this season and as many minutes as I can and learn as much as I can from Shauly, Deano and Baz. 
“I think the season is going to be a good test for us, we have a good mix of experienced players and young players. 
“It’s been a good transition for me and the other new players, the pathway from Bishop Burton is there. 
“A lot of the experienced players have taken the same journey as us, so we have that in common.
“Baz was in his second year so I ran up against him, and Pete was my coach last season.
“I did a lot of extra skills with him and it was good to pick his brain.”