There is still a rawness about his game that comes with being such a late convert, his progress not helped by the serious knee injury that sidelined him for an extended period at a key stage in his development.
Oguntibeju, though, is not hampered by self-doubt. The arrival of Scotland cap Alex Craig to Scotstoun has added additional competition to an already crowded second-row department but Oguntibeju feels he has reached an age – still just 23 – where he wants to become a regular in Franco Smith’s plans, labelling this a pivotal year in his career development.
“[The last 12 months] has been crazy to say the least,” he admits. “I was more involved than I thought I would be. So, I was grateful for that. It was my first season and I think I did okay. There are still things I need to work on, essentially. But I think I could give myself the benefit of the doubt because it’s my first year. But I’m 23 now. I didn’t have the luxury of coming in young. I’ve not been in this high-profile environment coming through the academy.
“I’ve only been a year on the professional side. Whereas if I’d been here at 18, maybe my development would have been further along. So, I’m kind of playing catch-up to a lot of people who have gone through that route. I don’t really have the time. I have to learn things much quicker. My aspirations are to be an international, be a Lions player. But if I want to keep going on that path, I think 23 is a good age to start seeing it, really.
“This season will define how the rest of my career goes. It’s very important in terms of my goals to be a regular and also somewhat of a stand-our player this season or at least projected to be one. I’m excited to see how it goes.”
His undoubted talent and positive attitude continue to be augmented by hard work, the player spending a large part of the off-season looking to hone his game.
“I had like two, three weeks off and then I went down to London for about four weeks. Just worked with a performance coach down there for a couple of weeks on some work-on stuff. Franco has always said movement around the park, speed and agility are work-ons for me. So that’s what I did this summer.”
The picture looked a lot different two years ago when Oguntibeju was studying at Brunel University and working his way back from that long-term injury. Professional rugby was just a pipe dream at that point but his conviction carried him through the difficult days.
“Life was completely the opposite back then,” he reveals. “I think I was at Brunel, just coming back from my knee injury. I started off, maybe one or two games playing for the ones, and then got dropped to the twos and stayed there the whole season. At that point, I wasn’t really sure what rugby was looking like. It was probably the most difficult time in terms of the career. I think the light at the end of the tunnel was doing the Super Series [with Stirling] and I think I did okay then. I backed myself every time, so all I needed was an opportunity. I came here, did a trial, and… yeah.”
Jare Oguntibeu has his sights set on international rugby. Image: ©Craig Watson www.craigwatson.co.uk
Forging a career in sport was always the plan for so long that looked more likely to be in football rather than rugby.
“Nine to five has never really been my forte. When I was young, I always thought it was going to be football growing up. I played anywhere down the middle; striker, centre-mid or centre-back. I still like football. I never really was the biggest watcher, I always loved playing, but Chelsea’s my team, so I still watch them from time to time.
“But I then started rugby, and once I start something and I’m fully dedicated, I knew that sport was something I was always going to strive to do. I knew it would come eventually, I just didn’t know how long it would take.”
Old habits die hard but Oguntibeju doesn’t plan on showcasing his football skills any time soon. “It’s become a thing in training where it’s looked like I’ve been able to do [a grubber kick] and everyone’s like, ‘Jare don’t do it, don’t do it!’ I don’t think that will happen anytime soon, but if it does, don’t be too surprised.
“I don’t think I’m allowed to play five-a-sides any more. But after the long days here, I wouldn’t really have much energy anyway to do that.”