Clark on a mission to prove his Test quality
Wales have capped two former England U20 centres in the last few years and new Dragons recruit Max Clark is hoping to make it three.
Where Nick Tompkins and Johnny Williams have led, so the 26-year-old former Bath midfield man is looking to follow. Having played with Tompkins in the England U18 and U20 teams, he has now set his sights on linking up with him again, although this time in the red of Wales.
He may have represented England at age-grade levels, but Clark was born in Bridgend and has a Welsh mother and grandparents. His summer switch from Bath, where he spent 13 seasons rising through the ranks, to the Dragons, is a real statement of his intent.
Having scored tries for England U18 and U20 in wins over Wales over the years, no doubt the likes of current Welsh internationals Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Tomos Williams, Dillon Lewis and Adam Beard will remember playing against him.
“I always knew I was half Welsh, but I grew up in England, went to an English school (Bryanston) and have always lived there,” said Clark. “I followed quite an obvious route through academy and age group rugby, but once you get into the senior game you forget about what's happened before.
“Now there is a chance that I could possibly play for Wales, that's a route I'd like to take. I'm not going to shy away from the fact that's why I've come to Wales and joined the Dragons – I'm here to try to get international honours.
“I'm sure there will be questions around why I came over from Bath, and my background will get highlighted, but it happens in all countries – players have relatives of a certain nation and so it's not too far-fetched.”
He won't be on his own at the Dragons as a player who has represented England at age-grade level and is now seeking senior international honours with Wales. Ross Moriarty was a Junior World Championship winner with England and Tompkins, who won a number of his Welsh caps from Rodney Parade, played with Clark in the 2015 U20 JWC final.
Second row George Nott has joined from London Irish. Nott was born in Bodelwyddan and played for England at U18 and U20, including the win in the 2016 JWC final against Ireland.
Sean Londsdale has signed from Exeter. Although born in Manchester, he was schooled at Rydal Penrhos in north Wales, played for RGC 1404 in the Welsh leagues and has a Welsh mother.
Huw Taylor, who also has a Welsh mother, is already at the Dragons and played alongside Nott for England at U18 and U20. Wales lock Will Rowlands didn't get junior honours, but his Welsh father is the reason he has been able to play for Wales.
“Wayne Pivac hasn't been on the phone, although there have been conversations with the Welsh set-up in the past. That was when I was in my early twenties, but I don't think I was mature enough to come across then,” said Clark. “I'd not long come out of school and I was just settling into life at Bath.
“I'd been at Bath since I was 13 and the thought of leaving my childhood club before I had achieved everything I'd wanted to achieve there was the big one for me. I've now fulfilled many of my ambitions at Bath and the time to move feels right.
“This will be a big change for me, it will take me out of my comfort zone and test me, but with that come massive chances. I'm on edge, but it the right way to be because I want to impress at the Dragons.
“All the talk about coming to Wales to try to play international rugby is all well and good, but nothing will happen if I don't perform well for the Dragons. That's why I've come here and I owe it to the Dragons to produce for them for bringing me over the bridge.”
