Who will “Break Through” next Season?
Olly Devoto
By P G Tips
June 18 2014
Olly Devoto is the breakthrough player of 2014. That’s not opinion, but official. Olly was named LV= Championship “Breakthrough Player” for last season, as well as Bath Rugby’s Most Improved Player. A member of Bath’s Academy, Olly’s rise has been dramatic. He has gone from school XV to an England XV appearance against the Barbarians in two seasons.
Olly had good company in the newly signed Bath youngsters last season: Anthony Watson getting his England debut this week against the Crusaders in New Zealand while George Ford, press darling for much of the season, picked up 2 caps from the bench in the 6 Nations
Can Bath fans expect other stars to emerge next season? If so, who are the candidates?
1. Henry Thomas
The jury seems out on Henry. At Sale he divided opinion among fans and was under used by Steve Diamond last season. Stuart Lancaster & Graham Rowntree must see something different though, as he now has 6 caps – outings in the 6 Nations & New Zealand adding to his debut games last summer in Argentina. Despite concerns about his scrummaging, he coped well against Ireland, Wales & Italy. One former Bath & England star described him as having great game awareness from an early age. His high tackle and turnover count against Crusaders seems proof of that. Will next season see him kick on to fulfil his promise?
- Kane Palma-Newport
Last season’ United Captain was the only Bath captain to lift silverware in a season when so many trophies were contested right to the season’s end. Held in high regard by his United teammates, he found first team appearances hard to get while tucked in behind a resurgent Davey Wilson and improved Antony Perenise. A potent scrummager, strong close quarter carrier and a leader, Kane will think this season a real chance for his breakthrough.
- Will Spencer
Bath fans have seen very little of will Spencer in the past 10 months, but he has not been idle. He has been a mainstay of London Welsh’s challenge for the Championship title and gave a telling performance in the second leg final with lineout steals and some great tackles and carries. An athletic presence and a fine lineout jumper, he has added both bulk and experience while in the Championship. Is he now ready for a regular first team place? - Matt Gilbert
Matt started last season strongly and initially seemed to be vying with Alafoti Fa’osiliva as understudy to Francois Louw. As the season progressed he lost ground to Guy Mercer and finished the season at Number 8 in the United and without even a bench place in a first team for the last 2 months. He has many admirers among the fans, who are impressed by his lineout presence, strength at the maul and solid tackling. Recently there have been rumours that he is due to leave, but no confirmation. He has considerable potential, but now needs the opportunities if he is to realise it. Will those come, or is he destined to be a squad player? Perhaps this is the season we find out. - David Sisi
David’s season last year started in disappointment – a leg injury ending his involvement in the pre-season friendly against Bristol after only 20 minutes. Those 20 showed glimpses of his promise and I hear that he performed well for Leeds on loan once he had got over the injury. He is a junior World Champion: a forceful carrier and tackler in the 2013 England U20 outfit that beat Wales to that year’s crown. He may well find his chances limited in competition with Bath’s more experienced back row resources, but I hope that he is given his chance this season. He has all the physical gifts to make the big time, so if he can add experience to his promise another rising star may emerge in Bath ranks.
6. Chris Cook
Chris is an “old hand” and potential breakthrough player at the same time. His Academy debut was in 2009 & he made his first Premiership start in 2011. A swift enough runner to have captained Bath’s sevens team, he showed the full scrum half armoury in United’s successful A League run before helping London Welsh to their Championship victory. With Peter Stringer due to retire soon, he may get more senior chances in the season to come. Bath have given him a one year extension – so it looks like a “now or never” season for him.
7. Luke Arscott
At 30 years old when next season starts, Luke is a bit mature for the title “breakthrough” –but he is new to Bath & could make a great impact if he can reproduce his 2012/13 form when he was Exeter’s Player of the Year. Tall and strong, he is a swift. Adventurous counter attacker, who has been recruited to fill the shoes of fans favourite Nick Abendanon. Will he prove as valuable and popular?So – there are 7 possible candidates. I have not included Sam Burgess – who could justify a profile of his own – as we do not yet know where bath will play him, or even if he will be given much first team action in his initial Union season.
Any of the 7 could break through and be a star in 2015, or possibly none of them. The most consistent clubs (like Leicester) or national teams (the all Blacks) are constantly regenerating, refreshing their playing personnel – building competitive squads. Lets’ hope Bath are on that path. Who will be the “breakthrough star”? My money is on David Sisi – who is your bet?
- David Sisi
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:25:12:22:29 by Stuart Anderton.
Thomas is a current England international and on his suspected wedge should hit the ground running.
KPN I suspect will go out on loan and I don't think it would do him any harm.
Spencer I think will get game time and is going to be a England contender in 3/5 years imho.
Gilbert won't get any Premiership games but will be involved in LVs imho
Sisi will go back to Leeds would be my guess and it will do him no harm.imho
Cookie it could be his year if it's not he should move.imho.
Arscott is a seasons pro on good money one would expect and another that should it the ground running.
Sisi is a great prospect, but without the luxury of easy Amlin games to give people a run this season, and with Fearns, Garvey and Leroy ahead of him at 6/8 (with the possibility of Burgess too) it may be a case of LV and and a loan. The more rugby he plays the better. He's a massive guy, but could probably do with slimming down a bit.
Woolstencroft and Ewels will probably go out on DR deals. Webber's making a serious England push though, so wouldn't be at all surprised to see Woolstencroft involved with the first team at some point.
Agree this year is Cook's last chance to impress.
Can't see Kane going out on loan before Christmas. Wilson will be with England for the AIs, and Orlandi's still just about on the Argentina radar. From a selfish point of view, we could do with Thomas falling down the England pecking order so that we can put out a squad.
For everyone else the position may be a little to crowded to really make a mark but I think Sisi will see some game time with international call ups and injuries. You'd expect Louw, Garvey and Houston with Fearns on the bench when all are around but Sisi could be the next guy to call on ahead of Mercer and Gilbert.
I also think KPN will have to see some game time with Wilson being away a fair bit and although I didn't get to see much of United there's no reason he can't beat out Thomas to the 18 shirt.
Stuart
Former ed.
If there is an injury and Sisi gets a chance then he could very well do.
Thomas' scrummaging has finally started to improve - if it does hold up then he could potentially allow us to rotate systematically at TH - which would be a godsend after Tony's departure.
Quote:cb2
Watson - time for him to lose the "potential" tag.
At age 20?
You do realise he was eligible to play in this year's JWC?
Instead he was playing for the senior team...
Lets hope both make it this coming season.
Become starters
- Burgess & Arscott : Must be their objective from Day 1 even if Burgess will need some time.
A point to prove:
- Ben Williams : needs some luck with injury and then needs to show he is worthy of being a squad member.
- Chris Cook : needs to put a string of games together where he looks in control of the game. Be a more dominant player on the park.
- Henry Thomas : comes with a mixed reputation. Needs to show power in the scrum.
Break into XXIII
- KPN : he needs to be breathing down peoples necks with strong LV performances and should look to win a bench spot.
- Spencer : He looked good in his appearances last year and his only real negative was a dumb card in Bordeaux. Win a bench spot and excel in LV.
Lay down a marker
- Sisi & Dunn : Increase the pressure on the squad probably through training performances and loan deal.
- Ewels/Ellis and Wolsterholme - continue to develop through loan deals.
There is lots to be encouraged about in our talent pipeline especially given the young age of some of our existing players.