Auguy Slowik is not the most famous name in Bristol‘s glittering squad but with four tries in the space of seven days the full-back is quickly making a reputation for himself.
The 20-year-old started last season dual-registered with Clifton but strong performances in National League Two South meant he was called back by Bristol at Christmas and he went on to make 13 first-team appearances, scoring eight tries on the way.
This year, with a brace of tries against Yorkshire Carnegie a fortnight ago and another against Cornish Pirates on Sunday, he is establishing himself as Andy Robinson’s first choice for the No15 jersey.
“It’s really weird to train and play alongside such experienced and talented player but it’s a great atmosphere at the club,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“I’ve only moved to full-back recently from the wing so I spend a lot of time with Jack Wallace to pick his brain and get more knowledge about the position.
“David Lemi is also a player with huge Premiership and Test experience so I’ve got two very good mentors here.
“Our captain Mark Sorenson helps me a lot too, always giving me advice during games to make sure my confidence stays up.
“I’ve got to keep scoring tries to keep getting picked – that’s what I’m telling myself all the time.”
Slowik started playing rugby at Walcot RFC where he tore defences apart alongside England U20s fly-half Billy Burns on Sunday mornings.
The duo also attended Beechen Cliff School in Bath but their path diverged at College. Burns joined Hartpury College while Slowik was offered a place at Filton.
While there, he won the 2011 Rosslyn Park Sevens Open alongside current England Sevens player Alex Davis and Worcester scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Bruzilier. The following year Filton lifted the Sedbergh 10s Cup.
Bristol were quick to snap up Slowik and he joined the west country outfit in 2012. Now established in the first team, Slowik is waiting for his younger brother Lucas, who has represented England U18s at centre, to catch up so they can turn out together in a competitive match.
He said: “It was a lot of fun playing with Billy at school and in our club but he then joined Hartpury and I joined Filton so we haven’t played together since.
“We could have played against each other last Monday in the A-League but unfortunately we didn’t. Maybe I’ll face Jean-Baptiste in the Championship this year though.
“I was going to go to Bath College but two weeks before I started there, Filton offered me a place to join their AASE programme.
“At the end of my second year, I joined Bristol EPDG program to play for their U18s team and I haven’t looked back since.
“I made my first team debut in the B&I Cup last season which went well so the coaches decided to see what I could do in the Championship. Luckily I did ok and they kept me in the squad.
“I played with Lucas in pre-season which was very enjoyable. Hopefully we can play a real game together which would make my family very proud.”