Billy confident he can play his part at Bristol
FORMER Plymouth flyhalf Billy Searle insists he is ready to make an impact at Bristol when he joins the Premiership outfit later this month.
Searle, 20, faces a battle for game time against Gavin Henson and another new signing, Samoan playmaker Tusi Pisi, while Welshman Callum Sheedy showed his mettle during the promotion play-offs.
After helping Cornwall clinch back-to-back County Championship victories at Twickenham, however, a bullish Searle told The Rugby Paper: “I’m hoping to play first team, that’s the aim and I wouldn’t have signed for Bristol otherwise.
“I’m not arrogant at all, but I’ll always back myself and I can’t wait for this challenge. It’s down to me to go up there now, work hard in pre-season, show what I can do on the field and, hopefully, I’ll get selected off the back of it.
“Bristol have got a really good squad and it’s going to be very hard to get in, but training with guys like Gavin Henson and Tusi Pisi is only going to be good for me and I’m really excited by the experience I’m going to get.”
Searle’s progress has been startling. An Okehampton boy, he played National Two rugby with Cornish All Blacks before being picked up by ex-Plymouth boss Graham Dawe in 2015 amid financial meltdown at Polson Bridge.
The livewire playmaker was at the heart of a Brickfields revival in which Albion finished fourth in National One and he is thankful for his time there.
“This year has been my greatest in terms of development, especially working with Graham and Simon Lane, our backs coach,” Searle said.
“Since I started with Cornwall under Graham last year, I’ve come on leaps and bounds and that’s what’s led to going to Bristol. My game management’s really improved and I’m a different player, it’s been a fantastic 12 months for me.
“I’m grateful for everything Graham and Simon have done.”
NEALE HARVEY