Street sets his sights high
By Neale Harvey
29/12/20
Exeter Chiefs prop prospect Marcus Street has set his sights on playing for England after condemning Welsh Test star Tomas Francis to a spell on the sidelines.
Former England Under-20s tight-head Street, 21, played a big part in Chiefs’ drive to last season’s Premiership and Champions Cup finals and has carried that form into the current campaign as understudy to Harry Williams, leaving Francis fighting for games.
It’s been a remarkable year for local boy Street, who only started playing rugby for Cullompton at 12 but roared on to Exeter’s radar two years later before some hard yards at Plymouth laid the foundations for a surge up the Sandy Park pecking order.
Street told The Rugby Paper: “It’s been one of the best years for me. Even though I wasn’t able to play in the two finals, I played a lot of games leading up to them and feel I played my part, so it’s amazing to be my age and to have two big medals like that.
“Being Exeter born and bred makes it even better from my part. From watching Chiefs when I was younger to helping them win both trophies… it’s like, ‘wow!’.
“I only played rugby from the age of 12 when my parents wanted me to lose some weight. I was a big kid but didn’t enjoy it straight away, but it wasn’t long before I was absolutely loving it at Cullompton and Ricky Pellow spotted me playing for Devon U15s.
“I got into England U20s quite early and then went on loan to Plymouth, where I took a few hidings. You need that, though, because you come up against older players who know all the tricks. My first year was tough but it helps prepare your body.
“I was quite a long way down the list at Exeter but Moray Low and Greg Holmes both left and I’ve been quite lucky to get the opportunity. Greg taught me quite a lot and the main thing now is to keep working hard and not take anything for granted.”
Complacency is something Street can ill-afford with Francis gunning for his place back.
He explained: “It’s a nice bit of competition with Harry and ‘Franny’ and I want to keep the pressure on everyone. The main thing is to take opportunities when they come – if you work hard, you’ll get them, but it’s also about not shying away from it.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had a good amount of games. A lot of people come out of the U20s and then have to bide their time, but I’ve been lucky to have had the chance to show what I can do and there’s no chance of me taking my foot off the gas.
“It’s a big ambition of mine to get into that full England squad one day. It’s one of my big goals coming up and something I’m working very hard to do.”
Street is grateful for the expertise he’s had to call upon along the way, adding: “Greg Holmes was a really good mentor, but it wasn’t just him because Alec Hepburn has been great for me and it’s good to get a view from the other side of the scrum.
“Going up against ‘Heps’ and Ben Moon in training is perfect because they both like coming for me. I’ve had my share of beatings from them, but you’re always working out ways to beat people in return and Rob Hunter has been a great coach for me.
“Him and Rob Gibson have shared a lot of knowledge and I feel my game’s improving.”