Lions carrot appealing to English centre Spink as he reflects on Force future
Mon, Feb 19, 2024, 12:27 PM
Nathan Williamson
Western Force and English centre Sam Spink admits the potential to play against the British and Irish Lions is appealing as he weighs up his future.
Spink signed a two-year contract at the end of 2022 after the collapse of Premiership club Wasps.
The 24-year-old delivered a fantastic debut Super Rugby Pacific season, capped off with the Nathan Sharpe Medal.
“I absolutely love everything that I’ve had here and I’m completely settled in. Away from Rugby, you can’t really beat the lifestyle here," he told Rugby.com.au.
“Regards to the long-term future at the Force, I think there’s something extremely exciting going on here and I really do believe that.
“Whether I’m here for years to come, that’s still to be decided but it’s definitely a viable option and one that I’ll have to choose at some point but really do believe that there’s something exciting happening here and the Force will be in a good place for years to come.”
The Force have a history of recruiting overseas-based players on one or two-year deals before they return home such as Zack Kibirige and Manasa Mataele.
Spink's deal comes up at the end of the year, however, the club has a unique opportunity to offer the centre as they prepare to kick off the 2025 British and Irish Lions in Perth.
The Tour will begin at Optus Stadium on June 28 and Spink admits the prospect of taking part on the other side is appealing.
“I think I’d be lying if I didn’t see that fixture in the book a while ago and have that as another reason to consider my options a bit more," he said.
“That would be an incredible thing and not just for me individually, it would be exciting for the Force and for Perth in general.
“Whether I’m here or not playing in it, it’s exciting for Australian Rugby and mainly Rugby in the West because what an opportunity for the Lions to be out here and playing at Optus Stadium."
For now, Spink's focus is on getting the Force into the finals and building off their maiden season under coach Simon Cron.
“I loved it. As a team, we didn’t get to the point where we wanted to but it was such a whirlwind moving to the other side of the world," he added.
“The actual structure of the season and the travel that’s involved is all so new to me. Playing different teams and styles and playing that consistent game time was also pretty exciting.
“I’m really happy with how I was playing towards the end and for now, it’s just about a longer pre-season that I’m not used to. I was happy with how it went but it’s all about getting better.”
