Taunton have signed the league’s most high profile arrival as twotime England international Ollie Devoto, formerly of Bath and Exeter Chiefs, hopes to be a difference maker in their title pursuit.
Devoto, 30, accumulated 127 appearances and scored 21 tries for Exeter but while Luctonians head coach Ryan Watkins sees the value of the signing, he also stresses the importance of developing players internally and sending them the other way.
Watkins told The Rugby Paper: “It’s great for the league but we’ve got young talented players that aspire to get to those levels themselves. We had Archie Benson sign from us to Northampton Saints, so those guys coming down will be up against young, hungry players who will see the likes of Devoto as a challenge to showcase any credentials they might have.
“Our model is very different, we want to develop our own. I prefer young and hungry players, I feel you get a lot more out of them and they give a lot more to the club. We want to be around for a long time, so for the last few seasons, we’ve targeted 20/21-year-olds that might have missed the boat for an academy, been to a decent university programme and when they come out of that we hopefully provide them with a good environment to get better.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の September 01, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Rugby Paper の September 01, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
