World Rugby U20 speedster Archie Saunders turning heads for Junior Wallabies

He’s been coached by a famous Olympian and is now one of the fastest teenagers in rugby - and potentially at the upcoming world rugby U20 championships in South Africa.

Archie Saunders turned plenty of heads when it leaked out he’d been clocked on the GPS doing extraordinary speeds.

He’s expected to turn plenty more as a call-up to Nathan Grey’s talented U20 squad preparing for the World Rugby U20 championships.

A talented schoolboy sprinter once coached in his teens by Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Saunders was bought back into the squad after missing the rugby championships - a major selection event - due to a hamstring tear.

“I didn’t give up hope,” outside back Saunders said ahead of the squads flight to Cape Town on the weekend.

“It was frustrating and I knew the rugby champs were a big part of it.

“I returned to playing club footy with the Warringah Rats a week later and just tried to do my job the best I could.’’

NSW player Archie Saunders scoring for the Waratahs last year.

Saunders, who coach Nathan Grey described as “exceptional’’, said he realised as soon as he left the confines of school rugby he needed to muscle up and bulk out to make his presence felt more in the game.

And despite being a fussy eater - “salads and vegetables, I probably need to improve in that area’’ - he’s done that.

“I’m 192c and 98kg now but still pretty lean,” said Saunders from Collaroy Plateau on Sydney’s northern beaches.

“Stepping up into grade the physicality is a lot more intense.

Saunders ready to take down a Rebels player.

“I’ve had to muscle up in that aspect, plus defend well, chase hard and carry hard.

“I put on a fair bit of size over the off season but it was more mental - getting my technique right and backing myself more. That’s the part of my game that’s improved but there’s still a long way to go.’’

Saunders said he gave up sprinting at school around six years ago but confirmed he was recently clocked at 10.3 seconds over 100m by GPS.

AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR WALLABIES WORLD RUGBY U20 SQUAD

NSW Waratahs: Jack Barrett – Randwick Rugby Club, Ben Di Staso – Eastern Suburbs, Bryn Edwards - Sydney University, Ollie McCrea – Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club, Archie Saunders – Warringah Rugby Club, Eamon Doyle - Sydney University, Hwi Sharples - Sydney University, Joe Dillon - Manly Marlins, Oniti Finau - Randwick Rugby Club.

ACT Brumbies: Tevita Alatini - Gungahlin Eagles, Harvey Cordukes - Uni-Norths Owls, Toby Macpherson – Uni-Norths Owls, Jarrah McLeod – Canberra Royals, Dan Nelson – Canberra Royals, Angus Staniforth – Canberra Royals, Shane Wilcox - Tuggeranong Vikings, Jack Harley - Gungahlin Eagles, Lington Ieli - Tuggeranong Vikings, Kadin Pritchard - Gungahlin Eagles.

Western Force: Boston Fakafanua - Sydney University, Ronan Leahy - Sydney University, Dane Sawers – Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club.

Melbourne Rebels: Ottavio Tuipulotu - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club

Australia Sevens: Aden Ekanayake – Gordon Rugby Club

Queensland Reds: Nick Bloomfield – Easts Rugby Club, Frankie Goldsbrough - Easts Brisbane, Trevor King – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane. Dominic Thygesen - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane, William McCulloch - Norths Brisbane

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Originally published as World Rugby U20 speedster Archie Saunders turning heads for Junior Wallabies