Max Northcote-Green faced a difficult choice in the summer of 2012 – push on with his rugby career or take a gap year to see the world.
The former was a realistic option as Bath were ready to offer him the contract he was dreaming about but, after seven years at the prestigious Millfield School, the young openside wanted to get some life experience abroad.
Such a decision could have halted his aspirations to become a professional player but Bath were keen to keep hold of him so they made him a new offer.
They set up a move to Australia where he would play for Sydney University and, as long as he performed well, they would sign him on his return.
Now 20, Northcote-Green is back at The Rec and has impressed in the A-League scoring in the first two games against Harlequins and Saracens.
“Once I told Bath about what I'd like to do they were great and they got me in touch with Sydney University,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“The conditions were simple for me. I had to play well while in Australia and they'd sign me once I got back.
“I worked in a school and played part-time for the University. The facilities and coaches were top class, it kept my rugby on track and I got a good run of games. When I got back, Bath kept their promise and I'm now in my second year.
“I played the first league game of the season with Rosslyn Park, where I'm dual-registered, before being called back by Bath with the A-league coming up.
“We have a break now but once the A-League finishes I think I'll go back to Park to get some game time. My big target this season is to play in the LV=Cup.”
Growing up in Dulwich, Northcote-Green first started playing rugby at Old Aleynians, but aged 11 another choice was in front of him – join his big brother Sam at Dulwich or move to the West Country and enrol at Millfield. The latter prevailed and he hasn't looked back since.
Playing alongside fellow Bath prospects Tom Ellis and Richard Lane, Northcote-Green was part of the teams that won the U15s Daily Mail Cup in 2009 and the U16s Rosslyn Park 7s the following year.
Winning trophies and playing for Millfield put him on Bath's radar and in 2009 they were quick to snap him up to join the academy.
Selection for England U16s and U18s followed but, due to his Aussie exile, he missed out on the U20s' successful RWC campaigns over the past two years.
But Northcote-Green is focused on the future and learning alongside specialist 7s Francois Louw and Guy Mercer.
He added: “My brother was at Dulwich two years above me and I had a friend who went to Millfield. At the time, joining my friend in the West Country seemed like the better opportunity to make a name for myself rather than be in my brother's shadow at Dulwich.
“It was a shame to miss out on the JWC but it's going great at Bath and that's the most important thing.
“I've picked up so much by training with world-class players like Francois. He's been a mentor and his and Guy's ability to jackal the ball in the contact area bring x-factor to the team and they are definitely two players I try to model my game on.”
