Cherry and Whites prop, Afolabi Fasogbon, made a 40 minute second-half appearance in the thrilling 41-44 win over west-country rivals Bristol Bears on Friday night.
The 20-year-old earned the share of headlines for one his performance, but more importantly his battle during the game with England regular Ellis Genge. Both players were constantly at it throughout the second half, Genge got the better over the Gloucester player in the early stages, however in the latter, Fasogbon was winning the battle every single time.
Ben Kay LOVED the battle between Ellis Genge and 20 year-old Afolabi Fasogbon 🤝#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/OKd9tUrXT6
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) September 29, 2024
“Ellis (Genge) is a world class player with strong character. I think the beauty seeing the battle as a coach, you know, regardless of the drama or whatever, I think Afo got taught a lesson on the first scrum, and he found a way on the second scrum of dealing with it. I think that’s, the sign of a good player, you know. And he’s learning fast. He’s diligent. He learned very quickly there, especially in the dark arts side of it.
“I’m sure Ellis won’t forget this moment. I’m sure we’ll see him again, but I think they’ll have a bit of banter between each other. I think Ellis will recognise there’s a good young, tight head coming through, you know, I’m sure he’d be very happy eventually to pass on the baton to someone like Afo”
There was fire and tension between the two players throughout the half, including the youngster standing tall over Genge on the floor after winning his side a crucial penalty in the scrum, as well as waving Genge off the field when he was substituted by Pat Lam.
Afolabi Fasogbon gives Ellis Genge a send-off 👋#GallagherPrem | #BRIvGLO pic.twitter.com/0WvfElQsRk
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) September 27, 2024
“Look, it’s a good moment for Afo. He had some good moments. He’s a young lad, learning, working hard, He’s a very impressive individual, someone we have got to manage right.
“He’s a confident young man, but he’s not an arrogant young man. I think he, you know, he works hard to be in the position he’s in. He’s not arrogant, he’s not loud. He’s actually quite a quiet individual. So I think that’s probably as loud as you’d ever see him, and it’s obviously expressed on the field, which is fine by me, as long as you back it up.”
Speaking to local 20-year-old Gloucester Rugby season ticket holder Alfie Newman, he believes that Fasogbon is destined to star for Gloucester, as well as being the regular number three for England in the future.
Newman said: “Fasogbon has been capped in England under 18’s and 20’s, Skivington clearly knew the young man’s potential when he was working for London Irish, and when they met their demise, Skiv clearly didn’t think twice about getting him in. I believe he is destined to wear the number three shirt for England at the next Rugby World Cup if he continues and builds on his current form.”
