... while back at the Rec, young guns turn up the heat

BATH vice-captain Matt Garvey admits a changing of the guard could be on the horizon in the pack after an impressive early-season display by the club’s young forwards.

In the teeth of an injury crisis that has seen a host of the club’s big-name internationals sidelined, Bath’s young guns have stepped in with no lack of assurance in both the back row and second row.

Nineteen-year-old No.8 Zach Mercer and 22-year-old lock Tom Ellis have proved themselves both mature and versatile in the back five, working alongside Charlie Ewels, 21, and summer signing Elliott Stooke, 23.

Garvey, right, believes their displays have been pivotal in Bath’s strong start to the Premiership.

And he believes that the youngsters’ performances have given the injured David Denton, Taulupe Faletau, Luke Charteris and club captain Guy Mercer plenty to ponder.

“The young boys are doing well and pushing everyone, and it’s going to pay dividends long term and start putting us senior boys under a lot of pressure,” said blindside flanker Garvey.

“Zach has been exceptional over the last few weeks. He’s stood up and he’s making it hard for other people to get back into the team.

“They are young boys but with mature heads on their shoulders. Nothing seems to faze them.

“With young players, sometimes as a player you subconsciously think, ‘ah, he’s a young player, I need to have a quick word with him’.

“But they are fast learners and they put you at ease because they know their roles and they are a very talented group. You don’t have to worry about them.

“It’s awesome seeing them coming through, I just hope none of them want to play six anymore!”

Garvey believes the exposure that director of rugby Todd Blackadder has given his young forwards will put the club in a strong position come the Six Nations, when international call-ups often leave clubs weakened. “Usually, we’re going to lose senior players at the Six Nations and those young boys are then going to get chucked in at the deep end. “But by the time we get to those games and when they’re going to be playing 60 or 80 minutes, they’re going to have lots of confidence.”

Of his own elevation to the Bath vice-captaincy this season, Garvey added: “To be in a leadership role and to demand more of others, you have to get your own performance right, otherwise it’s hard to get that respect.

“So I’ve put a bit more focus on my own preparation and game plan.

“I really enjoy the role and hopefully it will reflect well on my performance and I’ll play well under pressure.”