While the Moseley congregation goes all gooey over its new, homegrown fly-half, spare a thought for the last man to shoulder that particular burden as he battles back from the first significant injury of a long and points-laden career.
As Caolan Ryan was winning legions of new admirers for his 19-point display in Saturday’s victory over Nottingham, Ollie Thomas was sat in the pews both appreciative of the 22-year-old’s ring-craft and envious of the opportunity he had to demonstrate it.
Thomas, after all, is out until at least the end of the year as he recovers from the torn medial ligament sustained last month against Leeds.
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While it’s all headlines and back-slapping for Ryan, Thomas is spending his time at home, with just the dog as company for long periods, concentrating on repetitious physiotherapy exercises. “Just to make sure my massive quads stay massive,” he says.
“I have been very lucky, in 11 years I have probably missed about six games through injury. That either signifies I look after myself pretty well or I’m not getting involved in all the rough stuff. Either way I guess coaches get their money’s worth out of me.”
Kevin Maggs will not be able to do that for a month or two yet. Thomas says he is hopeful of returning around Christmas time, although the ten-to-twelve week prognosis given by his specialist points more to the final British & Irish Cup fortnight in mid-January.
His knee brace comes off in four weeks, after which it will be a case of resuming running, rugby sessions and finally contact – all with a view to adding to the 230 appearances he has made in the Red and Black.
Six of which were starts in the first seven games of this season, four at fly-half and then two back in his eyrie at full-back with dual-registered Northampton Saint Will Hooley wearing the No.10 shirt.
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During those matches against Leinster and then Leeds, Moseley produced their best, most balanced performances of 2013-14, which makes the 30-year-old’s misfortune all the more irritating. “There’s never a nice time to get injured but I thought I had been pretty consistent without being outstanding. I was just plodding along doing what I do and waiting for things to kick on.
“It’s a little bit frustrating because as happens every year we were getting into our stride, getting used to our kicking strategies and defensive systems. I’m glad the boys have moved it on again with two consecutive wins.
“I just want to get back in with them again. It is difficult when you are not as integrated into the group because of injury, you’re not at the training sessions and you miss out on all the banter.
“But I’d like to think I’m quite mentally strong, I don’t really let things get me down, I know it’s a cliché but I stay positive and try to concentrate on my rehab which I’ve been quite strict about.”
Central to that recovery has been the support provided by Perform Birmingham which furnished him with assessment, treatment, a recovery programme and machine to arrest muscle atrophy.
All of which means Thomas’ return should coincide with Adam Caves’, a valuable New Year boost to Maggs as he strives to maintain his team’s recent improvement beyond the next few weeks.
The emergence of Ryan will also be a feature of that and while Thomas, for so long viewed as the heir apparent to the Mose fly-half berth, admires Hooley’s composure, he was thrilled with Ryan’s Championship debut.
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“I first knew Caolan when I was coaching North Midlands Under 14s, so I know what he’s all about. You see him in training and he’s a very skilful young lad. I’m glad he got his opportunity.
“He had a very good game on Saturday. I was really impressed with him. His game management is probably not up there with Will Hooley’s yet but he has got a wide skill-set, he is able to do a lot of things with the ball and he’ll try stuff that’s not always on, but at least he tries it.
“He had a really good game against Saints in pre-season so I knew he had that sort of game in him. But like anyone now it’s up to him to do it four or five matches in a row which in the Championship is not easy.” As a man of Thomas’ experience knows only too well.
* Will power
Ollie Thomas has offered to do everything he can to help Will Hooley, the youngster who last month took the No.10 shirt from him.
Like everyone at Moseley Thomas has been impressed with the 19-year-old’s composure and his kicking from hand.
And he says he’s happy Mose have found yet another option in a crucial position. “He is very organised,” Thomas said. “For a young lad he is quite unflappable which is quite an important attribute to have at fly half. His game management so far has been real good.
“It’s good to see him doing so well and if I can help him I will.”