For a good portion of his life, Joe Trayfoot has taken comfort in the familiarity of his surroundings.
A 14-year spell at London-based Harlequins gave the Chiswick-born back rower the opportunity to harness his craft and take the leap into professional rugby to satisfy a childhood passion for the sport.
That will soon change, however, when the recently turned 24-year-old closes the chapter of his life that began when he hit double-figures. Next season, Trayfoot will switch Twickenham Stoop for the Madjeski Stadium when he adopts the forest-green of London Irish.
It’s a move he felt he had to make, and he insists it wasn’t made lightly. “It’s definitely the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life to date,” he said. “But I owe so much to the club [Harlequins], it made me the person and the player that I am today.”
He cites his parents as having influenced his journey into rugby, sending him to the local club in Cobham when he was only five years old. It’s Harlequins’ senior coach Colin Osbourne, though, who he hails as having kick-started his career. “I was really young starting off, playing for my school [Dames Hill] and for my club, then moving on from there I got picked up by Colin Osbourne at the age of 10,” he said.
“I had a meeting with Colin when I was a little youngster, and now I’m a professional rugby player and full credit to him, because he’s got some great players on board the team.”
Trayfoot joined Harlequins Academy from the club’s youth set-up in 2008 before breaking into the senior squad. He made 48 appearances, playing both as a forward and across the back row, specialising at blindside flanker. However competing in a position against the likes of England captain Chris Robshaw means it’s difficult to shine.
This is why, he explains, he’s now seeking a fresh challenge away from a team that’s on the brink of a top four place in the Premiership. “I’m at an age where I want to be a regular starter in the Premiership and unfortunately they’ve got some great internationals in front of me,’ he said.
“I thought London Irish was a great move for me, I’ll be able to hopefully get myself in a position where I can start week-in, week-out.
“I’m looking forward to a change and something different in the future, but at the same time I’m giving everything I’ve got to the club that’s made me and the remainder of the season is huge for us, hopefully we can make the play-offs.”
The Surbiton-based player becomes London Irish’s fourth new signing ahead of the next campaign and follows scrum-half Brendan McKibbin, full-back Sean Maitland and front rower Ben Franks to the club’s HQ in Sunbury.
With Tom Coventry also set to join as the club’s new Head Coach following Brian Smith’s departure, it’s all change for the new-look Premiership outfit when the 2015-2016 season gets under way.
Does this give Trayfoot a positive indication of the club’s ambitions? “Definitely, that was one of the main factors that I could see,” he added. “They’re having a huge change around in the club from different positions, players and coaching staff and I felt that looking towards the future they realised that they have to build a squad that’s capable of getting in the top four over the next five seasons.
“They’ve got long-term goals, and they’re goals that they believe and I believe can be met. They’ve got some great people in place to push forward to get back to where London Irish were seven years ago, when they were right up top.”
Trayfoot has his sights set high, and rightly so. In 2013 he was nominated for LV= Cup Breakthrough Player of the Year and he played an important part in Harlequins’ LV= Cup-winning side.
Outside of club rugby however, he’s been unable to leave his mark on the international stage. Representing England through to U18 level was a step towards realising his lifelong dream, but it’s a dream that’s at risk of not materialising if he doesn’t gain regular first-team action. “I’d love to play international rugby and to do that you need to be starting at a Premiership club. To get there you can’t be on the benches, they’re not going to pick anyone on the benches.”
With a grandmother from Co. Clare — who, he adds, is still very much true to her Irish roots — it opens up the possibility of an international future with the defending Six Nations champions. According to Trayfoot, even if it’s a distant prospect, it’s one that he’d consider.
“I think international rugby is a funny thing. Sometimes to you need a little bit of luck and timing and both of those things come. It’s something that I wouldn’t rule out, I would consider it, definitely.”
OPTIMISTIC: Joe Trayfoot is positive about his summer switch to London Irish
