Richard Skuse is latest Academy graduate

Richard Skuse
By Duncan Wood
July 11 2002

Richard Skuse, last season's U21 skipper, is set to sign a senior deal with Bristol. He will join the likes of Rhys Oakley and Chris Morgan who have already signed senior deals and made first team appearances.

Richard was one of the first signings into the Bristol Academy two years ago and has been a cornerstone of the Bristol U21 side ever since.

Last season, he skippered the side to their third league title in succession although the season finished in disappointment with the playoff final defeat against Wasps.

He is now too old to play U21 rugby and, when I spoke to him prior to Twickenham, he wasn't exactly sure what the future held for him as contract discussion hadn't taken place at that point.

He's obviously been through an uncertain few weeks since following the departure of Dean Ryan and Jack Rowell but new head coach, Peter Thorburn, has taken swift action.

Skuse revealed in the Evening Post yesterday, "Bristol have made me an offer and I have accepted it. They are in the process of writing a contract for me."

This is good news for the club and for the player himself who I am led to believe was also being courted by Bath. He is now training with the first team squad as they prepare for the new season.

The challenge for him will now be to make the breakthrough into the first team which won't be easy with the likes of Julian White ahead of him in the pecking order. However, White will be absent from timt to time on international duty so who knows what the future holds?