Harlequins back Oscar Beard has had his fair share of England setbacks in his early career, but he isn’t giving up on winning his maiden Test cap in the near future. 

The 22-year-old has excelled for Harlequins in the past two seasons and has been around the England squad since the Six Nations, but is yet to feature in the senior side.

He did make his representative debut in England A’s 91-5 demolition of Portugal last year, however, and also got his name on the scoresheet with a try.

Best position

Beard is one of several outside backs capable of playing both 13 and wing, a group which includes current England winger Tommy Freeman, but speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby, he revealed he feels at his best in the number 13 shirt.

“I’ve always prided myself on my s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁set and being a centre,” he said following his side’s 36-19 win over Exeter, in which he scored the opening try.

“At school, I played 10, then I was always a 12 and then being the young kid (at Harlequins) I moved out to the wing, so I can play a bit of everywhere; but 13 is where the team gets the best out of me. I know today I threw some pretty poor passes, but I’d like to think on another day I’d put them on the money, and I want to be a triple threat.”

Despite favouring playing in midfield, he feels the ability to play both is another string to his bow.

“The benefit of playing as a centre is I know what my winger wants, and likewise the other way round (when playing on the wing), so it will only add to my game.”

He also opened up on the players that inspired him growing up, including his opposite number – and current England competitor – Henry Slade.

“Growing up, Henry Slade was a big inspiration for me, and then coming through (at Quins) Joe Marchant really mentored me,” he revealed.

“I’ll keep banging at the door”

Beard earned his first England call-up last year ahead of the Six Nations, and has since been involved in the latest mini-camp; but he missed out on selection in the 36-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series. He isn’t giving up hope anytime soon though, telling Planet Rugby he will keep “banging at the door” to get a call-up.

“Steve (Borthwick) sees me as a centre who can play wing, but obviously, that versatility is getting more important in games,” he said. “My dream is to play international rugby, and with teams – like South Africa – going with a 7:1 or 6:2, players like that are becoming more important.”

“I was disappointed not to be involved in the autumn,” he continued. “But I’ll keep banging at the door, try and play well and you never know what’s around the corner.”

Form

Beard has been in brilliant form in the opening six rounds of the Premiership. The versatile back has started five of Harlequins’ six games, including the past three at 13, and has scored one try to date.

His form, and age profile, make him a likely contender to feature in the England A game against Australia XV on November 17, but he revealed he hasn’t had any news on that front as of yet.

“I haven’t (had discussions around England A), not yet,” he said. “I was in camp a couple of weeks ago and got positive feedback from there; so hopefully I keep banging at the door.”