When the Wallabies line up against England at a sold-out Twickenham on their spring tour, one potential debutant may feel more at home than most. Shock call-up Harry Potter’s path to Test rugby took an unconventional detour – via Leicester Tigers and the English Premiership. And the winger believes that sojourn in the rugby heartland has uniquely prepared him for the rigors of the international arena.
Potter’s Premiership odyssey began in 2020, when the coronavirus-disrupted Super Rugby season left his career at a crossroads. At the urging of former Tigers coach and current England boss Steve Borthwick, he traded Australian rugby’s uncertainty for the famed Welford Road, despite never having played a game of Super Rugby.
Over the next three seasons, Potter proved a wizard on the wing for Leicester, conjuring 22 appearances and 7 tries as the Tigers roared to their first title in nine years. But it was the nature of the Premiership, as much as his own development, that he credits for readying him for the Wallabies.
“The style of rugby was very different… It’s heavily kick focused, heavily defence focused, and I loved that,” Potter reflected. “Games were tight, every facet of the game was highly contested, and it was arguably more like Test match rugby at times.”
– Harry Potter on the English Premiership
From Super Rugby to the Spring Tour
Potter’s Premiership experience is a stark contrast to the “expansive and exciting” style of Super Rugby he’s encountered since joining the Western Force in 2024. But a cruel twist of fate nearly derailed his Wallabies dream, when an ankle injury sidelined him for 16 weeks mid-season.
Fortunately, his early season form and a successful return on the Force’s South African tour caught the eye of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Now, just days into his first training camp, Potter has his sights set on a Test debut – against England and former mentor Borthwick, no less.
“It’d be awesome. I’d love to play that game… Coming up against England at Twickenham has got to be up there with number one Test matches to play on the calendar.”
– Harry Potter on a potential Wallabies debut vs England
Learning the Wallabies Way
For Potter, donning the gold jersey would mark the culmination of a childhood dream. Born in England but raised in Australia from age 10, he always yearned to represent the Wallabies – a factor in his decision to return home after his Leicester sojourn, even with no guarantees.
Now, the task is clear – absorb coach Schmidt’s gameplan and vie for a spot on the wing or at outside center. Competition is fierce in a Wallabies backline oozing youthful flair and X-factor, but Potter remains hopeful his Premiership pedigree will prove decisive.
“We’ve just sort of been jumping in few different positions, which has been good… I’m loving it… If there’s an opportunity to play there or have crack there, either or.”
– Harry Potter on training for multiple backline positions
As the opening Test looms, Potter is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for a coveted cap, fueled by a quiet confidence that his unorthodox rugby journey has him primed to meet the moment. Should wizard Potter weave his magic against Eddie’s England and beyond, Wallabies fans may well raise a toast to the Premiership rugby proving ground.
