Young Guns: Bath & England U20s fly-half/full-back Sam Harris
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Sam Harris was delighted with his match-winning conversion for England U19s earlier this month, but is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as he eyes selection for the U20s World Cup this summer.
Harris' post-and-in conversion came in overtime as England U19s edged Italy U19s 28-26 at Goldington Road, in a match where he was one of just a few England U20s regulars to be called in and could take on a leadership role.
Despite ending up the hero Harris is keen to be realistic in his assessment of his performance, though he relished the challenge of the nip-andtuck contest his side were involved in.
“Properly reflecting on it, I didn't have my greatest game,” he said. “I always look to the phrase ‘you're never as bad as you think you are, and you're never as good as you think you are.'”
“Obviously a lot of people look at that final kick which I'm very pleased about because when it comes down to it, it did matter, but I could have done a lot better.
“But going into that, and effectively being a commander, I loved that. At half time, seven-all, I just said to everyone ‘this is where we want to be, we want a challenge'.”
The game capped a whirlwind 12 months for Harris which first saw him dominate in Bath University's thumping win against Durham in BUCS Super Rugby at the Rec, make a first senior appearance, and score his first try, for Bath in the Premiership Cup, and ultimately make his first England U20s appearance before ending up as their top points scorer and scoring at the Rec against France in the U20s Six Nations.
He feels the experience at all levels has benefitted him greatly, and was full of praise for the way his club had ensured players had been able to maximise their gametime.
“When I look back, this time last year I was finishing the U18s season with Bath,” he added. “Personally I feel like I've come on a long way, and that's through enjoying it and making the most of wherever I am. It's all about being on that pitch.
“Bath has taken a huge step forward in providing gametime for all the players. There's a real emphasis on trying to get people playing on loan, at university, and just in general where they can. Realistically you improve by doing, and that is playing.
Heading into next season with a club in the Champions Cup, and numerous opportunities available as the Premiership Cup has a five week group stage before Rugby World Cup players return, he knows he has great opportunities to progress further in the next year.
And whilst being conscious that he must perform, he will feel prepared when the time comes knowing Bath will only offer him another step up when he has earned it.
“I'm hugely looking forward to it. I just can't wait to be challenging for a place in the team, and being part of what is a very exciting future.
“My ambitions are simply that I want to be playing Premiership Rugby. I want to be playing for the Bath first team, putting my foot in the door, and showing what I have to offer.
“Realistically it's based on performance, so it's up to me to perform to be picked. I'm confident I can hold my own, I've had experience and I won't be thrown in at the deep end before I'm ready.”
