3. Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears)
Speaking off Fin Baxter’s newest front row partner, Bristol Bears hooker Gabriel Oghre has received his first call-up to an England touring squad this Summer. The 26-year-old’s club career began at Wasps in 2017, yet the front row was forced to depart his proving ground once the club entered administration. Oghre has since enjoyed a spell with Leicester Tigers, as well as a half season tenure out in France with Boardeaux-Begles.
Oghre’s progression then saw him return to the Premiership for the 2023/24 season, as he arrived at Bristol Bears for an immediate impact. Oghre made his debut for the Bears in the fifth round of the Gallagher Premiership season, in an away defeat to Sale Sharks. It did not take Oghre long to find his way to the Bears points tally, as he scored against Saracens in what was only his third match for the Bristolians.
The hooker has accrued a total of six tries for the Bears this season, with his finest run of try scoring form seeing him cross over for three tries in four weeks. Oghre scored in the first round of Bristol’s Champions Cup campaign against Lyon, before following this up with a try against Newcastle Falcons a fortnight later. The front row then made his mark upon the ‘new West Country derby’, with a try against Exeter Chiefs the following week.
Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks)
An exciting young fullback that has broken through in the North West, Sale Sharks flyer Joe Carpenter is an exhilarating prospect for an England debut this Summer. The 22-year-old is one third of Sale’s rapid back-three trio, as he lines up at 15 with Tom Roebuck and Arron Reed on their respective wings. Carpenter, Roebuck and Reed all motivate each other to pursue their international honours and have all achieved their Summer tour goals following a solid season at the AJ Bell.
Whilst Roebuck joins Carpenter within the England squad for Japan and New Zealand (more on him shortly), Reed has been called up by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, for a Summer tour across North and South America. Carpenter has made the Sale 15 shirt his own this season, and for the past couple of years has been relishing in the belief bestowed upon him by Sale DoR Alex Sanderson. Carpenter started 17 of his 19 Sharks appearances this season, and crossed over for four tries in the process.
Carpenter’s breakout season with Sale Sharks was the 2022/23 campaign, which saw his side progress all the way to the Premiership Final. Despite ending the final as eventual silver-medallists to Saracens, Carpenter would have settled for his coming-of-age campaign, that saw him start 22 out of 23 appearances, with his sole replacement cap coming in an away win over Harlequins. The 2022/23 season was Carpenter’s recent best, as he crossed over for seven tries, including a mid-season brace against eventual champions Saracens.
