Having endured a lengthy injury layoff, Bristol Bears second row Paddy Pearce is relishing the opportunity to be back playing rugby again.
The 6 ft 4, 16 stone 3lb forward suffered a tear in his labrum during preseason that has ruled him out for the last six months and was last in action during the U18s Six Nations in France back in April.
He said: “I got stuck into preseason but part of the way through I got a tear in my labrum and that's where the pain was coming from in my shoulder, so had to get that fixed. It was a bit of a speed bump but it's providing me with the opportunity to put a bit of weight on and have important conversations with the coaching staff about my return.”
Pearce, 18, is an athletic lock who was a key cog in Bristol's Academy League triumph earlier this year, imposing his physicality on both side of the ball, as well as being a talented line out operator and ball player.
He said: “It was great to secure that trophy and we were all so close which made it so much better. Across both age groups everyone was like a big group of friends.”
Pearce feels the strongest attribute in his game is his work rate but is looking to improve on his work in the contact area and has taken inspiration of Bristol back row Fitz Harding.
He added: “It's important now I'm moving into senior rugby. I'm still light for a second row but I don't want to pack on loads of weight and get really slow, so it's more about developing the technical side. I've had a few conversations with the defence coach at Bristol Jordan Craig about how I come back into contact after the operation. Fitz Harding is not too much heavier than me but you see him smashing people because he's technically such a good tackler and I've learned a lot off him.”
Pearce made his England debut for the U18s against Wales and went on to excel out in France in the U18s Six Nations, where Jonathan Pendlebury's side went unbeaten.
He said: “I wasn't supposed to play in the Wales game, I was supposed to be 24th man but someone else got injured about a month before, so I got the call up which was really exciting. I went out to France for the Six Nations and loved that as well because like Bristol everyone got really close living in each other's pockets for two weeks. All the staff were committed to making everyone improve and you could tell they really cared.”
As a young lock, Pearce has always idolised Maro Itoje and like the Saracens forward he enjoys the niggly side of his game.
He said: “Itoje came through when I was a bit older and is a bit of a pest in games which I like to be as well. I've enjoyed seeing him get in people's heads and making a mess of everything.”
Pearce is set to be back in action in early January and is raring to get back out on the pitch.
He said: “I've been injured for a long time and I just want to get back playing rugby whether that's for Bristol, A league games or sent out on loan. I'd love to play at the highest standard possible and see what happens.”
