Young Gun: Ollie Devoto – Bath fly-half

Olly Barkley has left a large fly-half-shaped void at the Rec since his move to Racing Metro, but if Ollie Devoto's tentative steps into senior rugby are anything to go by then Bath could already have a ready-made replacement.
World Cup winner Stephen Donald is the obvious replacement, but despite being just 19, academy product Devoto is already showing that he shares more than just a first name with the departed Barkley.
Having only just left Bryanston School in the summer, Devoto did not expect to be anywhere near the first team, happy to bide his time with Bath United in the A League, a competition that has so far seen him cross for two tries.
But a knee injury to Tom Heathcote put him in line for a trip to Romania to take on Bucuresti Wolves in the Amlin Cup for his maiden senior start, marking it with a try in a 40-17 victory.
This remarkable first impression did not go unnoticed in France, with Barkley sending Devoto a text, and the teenager admits he is enjoying the spotlight.
“Having only just left school and being as young as I am I never expected this to be happening this fast, it's fantastic,” said Devoto, who ahead of this weekend has nine minutes of Premiership action following two replacement appearances.
“During pre-season I was just pleased to be in and around the first team, training with them and learning new things and trying to get as much experience as possible.
“But then I am starting a game for the first team in Romania and scoring a try. I could only have dreamt of that last year.
“I wasn't expecting it at all and it was awesome to get out there. It was a good team performance and although there were a few nerves my preparation for the game was fantastic.
“I am really enjoying it and I have improved quite a lot already. I still have a fair bit of improving to do but it is a good start.”
It seems like a case of being one man in and one out at the Rec with Devoto and Barkley's paths only crossing for a matter of weeks before the latter was on his way to Paris.
But Devoto insists those few weeks were invaluable.
Devoto said: “Although Olly was only around for a little while this season he was still fantastic, even just the three weeks we spent working together during pre-season,” he added.
“He helped me calm my nerves when training with the first team for the first few weeks and made sure I was on the ball with what I needed to do.
“He was very influential in those first few weeks and he sent me a text congratulated me on my first start which was nice.
“There's no doubt he's a massive loss to the club and while I would love to pick up where he left off, they are massive shoes to fill.
“That is the aim but I am only just starting out and coming onto the scene so I know I have some way to go and that the hard work is only just starting.”
It isn't just the Bath coaches that have been impressed, with Devoto earning a call-up to the England U20 squad.
“I was delighted with call up and my aim is to also try and cement a place in that squad too.”