It was the first hat-trick of Tom O’Flaherty’s professional career, so when he’d finished running rings around Glasgow last weekend, the Exeter wing didn’t think to take away a memento.
‘Funnily enough, Jonny Gray asked me this week if I’d kept the ball,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t even realise that was a tradition, so I didn’t keep it. Not much happened really, I just went down the pub, had a few beers and played a bit of pool. That was about it — nothing to mark the occasion!’
It was a typical scenario for the 27-year-old Londoner; sterling work for his club, without much fuss or fanfare.
Tom O’Flaherty scored his first professional hat-trick as Exeter dominated Glasgow last week
O’Flaherty has been a mainstay of the Chiefs’ trophy-winning era in recent years, but hasn’t being among the growing contingent from Devon who have earned international honours.
There has been no contact from Eddie Jones and, given his name, there might be a perception that he could represent Ireland, but that is not the case.
‘No, I’m not Irish,’ said O’Flaherty. ‘Just English — and I probably qualify for Jamaica, from my dad’s side of the family. I think they’ve been all right at Sevens, so that could be an option. That’s definitely an avenue to explore.’
If a call did come from the Caribbean nation, it would add another layer to a fascinating and unorthodox sporting life. Despite emerging as a talented prospect at the renowned Dulwich College, O’Flaherty has not been on the familiar path from school to academy to club first team.
O’Flaherty has been a mainstay of the Chiefs’ trophy-winning era in recent years
But the winger hasn't joined some of his Exeter teammates into Eddie Jones' England team
O’Flaherty admitted he would consider playing for Jamaica Sevens if they came calling
Tomorrow, he will be back in familiar territory — on duty for Exeter against the French club where he spent an enjoyable season, while studying the language at Cardiff University.
‘I haven’t been back to Montpellier since I lived there, which was six or seven years ago,’ said O’Flaherty. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing a few of the lads I knew and seeing how the city has changed.
‘When I
