- Emmanuel Iyogun reached out to Springbok prop Ox Nche via Instagram during a South Africa Test week in London
- The Northampton loosehead made his England Test debut against Argentina in July after reaching 100 Saints appearances
- Iyogun is preparing for a high-stakes Premiership derby against Leicester ahead of England's autumn squad announcement
Northampton Saints loosehead Emmanuel Iyogun has revealed that a cold Instagram message to Springbok prop Ox Nche two summers ago proved to be a turning point in his development as a professional rugby player.
Source: UGC
Iyogun, 25, spotted Nche posting an Instagram story while the Springboks were in London preparing to face Wales. Recognising they were both in the city that day, he sent the World Cup winner a direct message asking if he wanted to grab food and talk scrums.
Nche made time during Test week
"The man is a legend of the game," Iyogun said.
"He had no reason to have time for me. He was in a Test week and was about to go out for food with mates."
To his surprise, Nche accepted. The pair walked to a nearby pub, where they spent roughly three hours over Diet Cokes discussing scrummaging technique and the broader demands of professional rugby.
"He taught me some really neat things, spoke to me about life, spoke to me about his journey, what he found important, from a set-piece point of view to general gameplay," Iyogun said.
"I was honestly in awe about how open he was and how much time he made for me."
While waiting at the Springboks' Kensington hotel, Iyogun also encountered several other South African internationals, including Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen and former Saints teammate Cobus Reinach.
From Madrid to England's Test XV
Iyogun's path to international rugby has been unconventional. Born in Madrid to Nigerian parents, he grew up in Glasgow before settling on the Essex coast and eventually joining Northampton. He previously played centre-back in football and No.8 in rugby, and only transitioned to loosehead prop after joining Saints.
That groundwork paid off. Iyogun reached 100 Saints appearances in June, earned his England Test debut against Argentina in July, and has now joined a group of props challenging Ellis Genge for the number one shirt. England head coach Steve Borthwick is set to name his autumn Test squad on Sunday.
Source: Briefly News
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