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First Saracens title has the usually unflappable Nick Isiekwe lost for words
St Albans' Nick Isiekwe shows off his winners medal after Saracens 27-10 win over Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham. - Credit: Archant
Giddy as a schoolboy is a phrase that doesn’t get an outing as much as it should in my opinion – but it was the perfect way to describe Nick Isiekwe after Saracens’ 27-10 win over Exeter Chiefs secured victory in the Aviva Premiership final.
Nick Isiekwe celebarates in the back row as Saracens' Brad Barritt lifts the Aviva Premiership trohy. Picture: ANDREW MATTHEWS/PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
He had every right to be giddy too as it was the first winners medal for the former Nicholas Breakspear School-pupil.
He said: “The boys dug deep out there. It was a tough game and Exeter were fantastic but I’m just happy we got the win.
“I’m overwhelmed; it’s crazy to be in this position.
“I’m just so happy for everyone involved. It was a squad effort this year and everyone was involved with international windows and injuries.
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“But everyone has pitched in and I’m just so happy for the boys to get their just rewards.”
It is a mark of the man that at the tender age of 19 he exudes a calmness normally associated with much older pros.
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And it might explain the release of emotions at the final whistle, because prior to kick-off he was his unflappable self.
“I like to take it easy,” he admitted. “Obviously you get jitters before a game, that’s normal, but I like to relax.
“We do our work during the week so that you are prepared coming into the game.
“I knew what we had to do and I knew what I had to do with my specific position and my specific role in the team.
“Like I said I’m just happy that it was our day. Words can’t explain how I feel right now.
“It’s quite a special feeling and we just what to kick on and build on this and what we’ve done this year.
“The whole squad has pushed on massively and we want to keep pushing.
“I’m just pleased to have done it and brought it back to St Albans.”
He revealed there would definitely be celebrations but they will have to be cut short as he flies out with the rest of the England team for their summer tour of South Africa on Tuesday.
But in his usual relaxed style he looks on that as just another step on what is an already impressive career.
And with his calm but driven persona, you would not be surprised to see him collect an impressive haul of medals and honours.
That’s why you can forgive him for a bout of giddiness every now and then.
