We had a great team – every one of us went on to get a pro contract – and I remember Warren Fury, who went on to play for the Falcons among a few other clubs, praying behind the goals after seeing my foot facing the wrong way. It was horrific. But thankfully the support network I had around me in Bath’s academy and at the school itself helped to get me through what was a tricky time.
Before the injury I’d clocked 10.6 for the 100 metres so, potentially, I was on track to one day break the 10-second barrier. The injury naturally took a bit of edge off my speed but I was still quick and at one point later on in my career, just before I moved to Spain, I was offered an 11-week trial, on very good money, by an NFL club who saw me as a potential wide receiver. Having family in Boston Massachusetts, I was an NFL fan from an early age – the Patriots are my team – so it was very appealing. But, back then, they didn’t have an organised pathway in place like there has been for Louis Rees-Zammit and Christan Wade, so it was considered too big a risk.
Brian Ashton put me on the bench against Worcester for the last game of the 2005/06 season but it wasn’t until the following October that I made my senior Bath debut in the EDF Cup, away to Bristol. Being part of that squad was brilliant for me as a young winger. Matt Perry took me under his wing and I had people like Joe Maddocks and David Bory to learn from. If you look at that team, man for man I would back them against anyone. We blew some teams away but we lacked the consistency needed to win the league. It was great, though, to be in the European Challenge Cup-winning squad in 2008. It’s incredible to think that that’s still the last trophy the club has won, but I’m pretty sure the wait will be over soon.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
