Stormers star still dreams of playing for England despite ‘taboo’ move
Stormers wing Ben Loader takes on the La Rochelle defence during their Champions Cup pool match in Cape Town.
Reading-born Stormers wing Ben Loader reveals that he has not given up on his dream to play for England, despite having left the country for Cape Town at the beginning of the season.
Loader was snapped up by the Stormers after London Irish went into administration after the wing impressed John Dobson by scoring a hat-trick against the Cape Town side in last season’s Champions Cup.
Loves the city
The 25-year-old reportedly had offers in the Premiership but opted to go for the Cape Town adventure which is one he is loving so far. Loader felt the timing of the Stormers offer was perfect and is enjoying what the city has to offer.
“When this opportunity came up, at this point in my career and life, it seemed like it was a perfect time to do it,” Loader told BBC Sport.
“I still can’t get over the fact that I am sitting in my living room at the minute and I am looking up at Table Mountain.
“The beach has almost been a running joke with a couple of the other boys. My usual day would be training, come back and head to the beach for a couple of hours for a dip for cold-water recovery.
“The first couple of weeks it was easy to forget I was here for a job. It felt like a holiday almost.
“There is still so much to explore. I feel like I have only done a fraction of what it has to offer.”
Connection to the people
Loader joined the Stormers at a positive time where they have recently won their maiden title in the inaugural United Rugby Championship season before losing in the final the season after. Adding to the positives is the completion of their equity deal with the new majority owner the Red Disa Consortium.
Ben Loader, that was glorious 🔥@THESTORMERS are brought straight back into the game as Loader manages to retain the ball in a 50/50 and go straight for the corner 🌟#InvestecChampionsCup #STOvLAR pic.twitter.com/K4nWkJ0FN4
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 16, 2023
It has been Dobson’s goal ever since taking over the side to ‘make Cape Town smile’ as he looked to connect the city and the team – something which Loader already feels strongly.
“Cape Town is the Stormers,” said Loader. “Getting out into the community here, meeting different people from all walks of life and seeing the love they have for the team has been amazing, and one of my favourite parts of the journey so far.
“It is a new experience and quite humbling to see how much it means to people to meet us and support us.
“In the UK that doesn’t happen with rugby too much, it is more of a football thing.”
England dream
Leaving England means he is ineligible for selection into Steve Borthwick’s squad, but Loader has not given up on the dream and believes he will come away from the move a much better player.
“Last year I had one of the best seasons I have had and I felt like I could be pretty close to getting to that ultimate ambition,” he added.
“It was something that was a bit taboo in terms of young English guys going abroad, as that was seen as completely shutting the door on any England ambition.
“Coming here and testing myself against all these different players and amazing guys is only helping to further that ambition and make me a better player.
“I am by no means in the twilight of my career. My ambition, like every young English kid, is to play for England one day. That is still the dream.”
READ MORE: Form guide: How every Investec Champions Cup last-16 club has fared recently