YOUNG GUNS
BATH SCRUM-HALF
BATH'S problems at scrum-half this season have presented unexpected opportunities for Tom Carr-Smith to travel away and be involved in the first-team squad.
Carr-Smith has twice found himself travelling to Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears in the last few weeks to back up Ben Spencer, Ollie Fox and Max Green.
And the Bath University student, who started playing at Andover RFC when he was four, says the experience has made him more determined to pull on a senior Bath shirt.
“It would be a dream to play for Bath –I really want to push on,” said 19-year-old Carr-Smith who was educated at Sherborne School. “I have been travelling with the squad, which has been a great experience and I've been able to see how the team prepare for games.
“I've been able to build relationships with some players, and it makes me more hungry to pull on the shirt having been involved in the travelling matchday squads.
“I know that every team is different, but at Bath, the academy trains with the first-team, which has been great for me to compete with the likes of Ben Spencer, Ollie Fox and Max Green every day. It is something that I don't take for granted. I always look to get one over on them and it's been great testing myself against them.”
One of the faces that the England U20 international sees across the training pitch at Farleigh House is that of former England fly-half Danny Cipriani, who has been quick to pass on tips.
“He is someone that I have looked up to for years now,” adds Carr- Smith. “Having him at 10, while it's not the same position as I play, I can still pick up how he approaches training, see up close all his flair and magic. He has been really great with all of us.
He is someone that you look to take something from because it's great value that can add to your game. He is there to help in any way he can.
“Even though he is new to the club, he has already made his mark with his training standards, how he reviews things and anything he says, you automatically listen to try and pick something up.”
Last summer Carr- Smith was a member of England's U20 Grand Slam-winning squad alongside his academy teammates at The Rec, Nahum Merigan, Ewan Richards and Orlando Bailey.
He says it was a surreal moment when he opened the email telling him that he had made the squad and now he wants to cement himself in the squad for this season.
He said: “There are other good scrum- halves around so it's always a fight for a spot but it was class to mix with the best players in the country at my age.
“I got the email, and It was a pinch-yourself moment. It was class to get it and not something to take lightly. It was a fantastic experience.
“I have always wanted to play for my country. It was an unforgettable experience and nice to get the Grand Slam as well. The whole thing was pretty surreal.”
