Everyone seems to vividly recall the very first time they noticed Guy Pepper. For Lee Dickson, the former England scrum-half who coached Pepper at Barnard Castle, it was during the school’s expedition to South Africa, long before his rise toward the Autumn Internationals stage.
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It was one of those moments when the hair rises on your neck, Dickson told. Immediately, you think, this boy has something exceptional.’ While competing in South Africa, you face extremely large, physical opponents and a hostile audience, and he simply dominated the contest. He appeared head and shoulders above the local players.
Only thirty minutes were required for Steve Borthwick to join the Sgt Pepper Club enthusiasm, having been directed toward him by another legendary back-rower. It was Richard Hill who told me, ‘You must meet Guy Pepper, Borthwick said. His ball-carrying, impact strength, and footwork stood out. He only played about half an hour that day due to injury.
He left, yet within that short period, I thought this guy was genuinely gifted. For a long period, Pepper resembled the trendy up-and-coming indie ensemble; the kind that aficionados might say, if you know, you know. Slowly, however, Pepper’s reputation expanded as he produced man-of-the-match performances in both the Premiership semi-final and final, before earning his England debut on the summer tour of Argentina.
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A Star in the Making Ahead of the Autumn Internationals 2025
His efforts in South America impressed many of England’s coaching staff, who were practically awestruck by his energy and consistency. Yet by starting against Australia in what will mark his first Test at Twickenham this Saturday, Pepper is effectively moving from Brixton Academy’s small stage to the glaring spotlight of the Pyramid Stage.
England possesses a wealth of dynamic opensides, but some experienced observers suggest Pepper could be the finest of all, a true triple threat able to tackle, jackal, and carry at an elite level. Still, those close to him emphasize that his most striking attribute is his character. Richard Wigglesworth immediately praised Pepper’s dedication, a sentiment also reinforced by England captain Maro Itoje.
I always consider this the more remarkable aspect of individuals and a stronger predictor of long-term achievement. But it’s his mentality during training, his drive to improve, eagerness to learn, and attention to detail, Itoje explained. That mindset will serve him exceptionally well over the years.
You can recognize someone truly committed or meticulously focused on their preparation, whether through the questions they ask or additional effort after training. It’s evident in how precise he is during sessions without senior players needing to instruct him. That consistency is visible in his performances for England so far, as well as with Bath.
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England Vs Fiji: Pepper’s Character Shines Ahead of Autumn Internationals
This same approach defined Pepper’s time at Barnard Castle. At the schoolboy level, top talents often find matches against weaker opponents so simple that they develop detrimental habits that impede future professional progress. That was never the case with Pepper, Dickson noted. Throughout his school career, he played like a man among boys, yet never exhibited arrogance or egoism, Dickson said.
At Barnie, we had a sixth-form center, and I liked observing how our players interacted socially. He would engage younger students, converse with them, and generally participate in social life. Him possessed inherent leadership. He shows no hint of pride or superiority. He does not elevate himself above others. I have three sons, and they all admire him and recall how Guy used to babysit them.
Asked to describe his approach to rugby, Pepper told Telegraph Sport: Compete for every opportunity. Never surrender. My primary focus is on recovering possession for the team. As an openside, you aim to retrieve the ball, assert dominance, and add that extra punch to collisions, qualities that will be crucial in fixtures like England vs Fiji.
The talent clearly runs in the family. Martin Pepper also played as a tough openside for Harlequins, although Guy’s father, speaking from a vacation in Ibiza, downplayed the comparison. With the Autumn Internationals approaching, Pepper’s involvement in England’s squad highlights the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities.
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