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.
Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
