Six Nations U20s Grand Slam winner Arthur Clark is thriving at Gloucester and has stressed the importance of the Premiership Cup for younger players.
Clark, 20, made a dream start to his Gloucester career scoring a try in his first-team debut in the win over Worcester earlier this season and also went on to start against Bath a week later.
The 6ft 7in, 18st 13lbs second row has thrived in the competition and loved walking out at Kingsholm, following in his father's footsteps. He said: “People don't understand how important that sort of competition is. It just gives us young guns such a boost when we can run out in the same strip and pitch as the first team. One thing Gloucester has over anyone else is our fanbase, they are unbelievable.
“Against Worcester it was just as busy as I've seen for a Prem Cup fixture, and that is more important to us than anything. To hear the Gloucester chants and how they get behind the team is second to none.
“My father Barry is a big inspiration, I always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He's done it, so it makes him proud for me to have played at Kingsholm as well now. The connection between him and the club made me want to achieve that even more.”
Clark's strongest part of his game is his lineout as he regularly uses his long levers to ‘cause carnage and kill team's momentum straightaway'.
He studies world class second rows Maro Itoje and Eben Etzebeth closely to find work ons and how he can do further damage around the park as a lock.
Clark became a Six Nations Grand Slam winner with the U20s back in 2021, playing in all five matches alongside the likes of Jack van Poortvliet, Orlando Bailey and Fin Smith for Alan Dickens' side.
He added: “I've really enjoyed my age grade rugby, it was a bit unorthodox being in a hotel for a month but I enjoyed meeting players and now when you come up against them in games you have a laugh with them. I'm incredibly fortunate to have been part of the squad.
“The Grand Slam win was the icing on the cake. We needed to win the Italy game to get the Slam so when it all came together it produced a great night out at the end.”
Clark's momentum has been slightly derailed by torn ligaments in his knee sustained recently in training, but the former Hartpury College student is hoping to come back even stronger.
He said: “It's annoying now to have the time off and wait until it gets better as I'm out for the next window of Prem Cup games in November.
“I'll be raring to go when that happens as I just want to play as much rugby as I can. There are Prem Cup games over Christmas and there might be an opportunity soon to get into the first team squad, so I just need to keep pushing myself in training and get in the eye of the coaches. It's not something that's guaranteed, I just have to try my best and see what happens.”
