Harry Bazalgette has championed BUCS Super Rugby for putting him on the path to the top level of the game after the conclusion of his first season at Cornish Pirates.
A star fly-half for the University of Exeter, which saw former players Arthur Relton (England), Christ Tshiunza, Dan John and Ollie Burrows (all Wales) recently called up for the U20 Six Nations, Bazalgette's first Championship experience arrived in March when Pirates stunned Saracens at the Mennaye.
“The season started and I was named in the matchday-23 for the first game against Sarries when we beat them, which was surreal, but I didn't get on the pitch,”
Bazalgette, 22, told TRP. “It was amazing to be a part of that and to see the international players they have running around the Mennaye.
“The changing room afterwards was awesome and from that point on it was good to get a Championship debut. It was not a huge step up from the rugby that I had played but it was enough to put me on another level.
“I am pretty lucky because you have Will Cargill here, he was immense this year, and then Arwel Robson and Luke Scully. They have been amazing for me to come in with and train with, and to give me competition.
“They have always been there if I wanted to chat about something and it's a good fly-half group to be a part of.”
On a scholarship at University of Exeter, where he is entering the final stages of a Masters degree, Bazalgette sees BUCS Super Rugby as a vehicle crucial for players who fly under the radar of Premiership clubs.
“You can already see quite a few teams in the Premiership looking at BUCS Super Rugby for recruitment. I think that speaks for itself about what BUCS can do for pathway rugby and players who may not be in a club's academy,” he added.
“I'm originally from Bournemouth and the catchment area isn't really centred there. Bath is a few hours away and the London clubs are a few hours away, so I wasn't really on their radars until I got to university. So being at University of Exeter gave me some exposure.
“I've been in the same team as Luke Mehson, Sam Maunder, Richard Capstick, Charlie Wright and Will Yarnell at UoE.
They have obviously gone on to good things.
“Haydn Thomas is one guy who was involved at the university and he's now heavily involved with Chiefs. He is experienced not only as a player but also as a coach and I spent a bit of time with him, but mostly I was being coached by Tony Yapp.
“Through the School of Kicking he took on that mentorship role to me. It started off just kicking but as things progressed, we would talk everything about the game.
“His past as a fly-half at a high level made him a great person to learn off and I would say he was the biggest influence on my game improving at university.”
