Former university rugby star and now Canadian rugby prospect, Tiarnan, who goes by the online persona Rugby T, has revealed the one physical discipline that Exeter Chiefs star Paul Brown-Bampoe dominated at university.
The Chiefs winger has become a fan favourite at Sandy Park since making his debut for the club during the 2023-24 season, after impressing in BUCS [British Universities and Colleges Sport] rugby.
In his first full season, he scored a remarkable 105 points, which equated to 21 tries in 23 matches, including a spectacular four-try haul in the Prem Cup against Cornish Pirates.
Although his try-scoring exploits have not yet kicked into gear this season, he remains one of the first names on the Chiefs‘ teamsheet, partnering up with the equally explosive Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the other wing.
At just 23 years old, Brown-Bampoe has a huge future ahead of him. International selection hasn’t yet come his way, but he will certainly be on the radar of Steve Borthwick.
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“Ridiculously fast, got a crazy step”
Brown-Bampoe has all of the physical attributes that all top-quality wingers need to have. He’s strong, fast and agile – all of which were noted by his former teammate.
Speaking to CURVA – a Free Gym App for Sports – Tiarnan said: “I went to university with him. He’s just a freak athlete. He’s genuinely one of the freakiest athletes I’ve ever seen.
“Naturally, probably shredded about eight to ten per cent body fat year-round, ridiculously fast, got a crazy step that doesn’t look like it should work, but still magically does.
“And like even cleans ridiculous amounts (in the gym), huge bench press. The most impressive thing, I can’t remember the exact number, but he had the highest counter movement jump out of any athlete in the whole of the university. That includes athletics and stuff like that.”