GUNS YOUNG

NICK DAVID WORCESTER FULL-BACK

PERSERVERENCE is key to becoming a top class player and exciting full-back Nick David has had to show his fair share after an injury-hit few years.

David, 18, joined the Worcester Academy in the summer after completing his A-Levels and was one of the stars for England U18 on their tour to South Africa.

However, it has not been smooth sailing for the former Warwick pupil with injuries blighting his last few seasons.

Despite the set-backs, David is a three-time winner of the Natwest Cup and is now looking to bulk up to avoid any further injury. He said: “It was an intense start at Worcester – I finished my exams on June 26 and started pre-season on July 3. The fitness training and intensity is something I hadn’t experienced but it’s stood me in good stead.

“It’s been quite an injury-hit few years. At U16 I tore ligaments in my ankle and was out from September to January and the following year I had a labral tear in my shoulder which put me out from October till March. And then last January I tore a ligament in my other ankle.

“It does have an impact psychologically to deal with three injuries on the trot and I think it has impeded my progress. So I want to get bigger to prevent further injuries...and get faster to evade these big guys! The injuries weren’t ideal but it’s developed me as a person.”

Adapting to senior rugby from school level is the biggest challenge now for David, who is benefitting from his dualregistration at Stourbridge.

“I’ve played some Cavalier games in the ALeague and I’m training Tuesday and Thursday at Stourbridge and it’s good to get some game time. Hopefully if I play well in these games Worcester will look at me. I’m just trying to prove I’m good enough for this level. Although National 2 is not as fast, the physical side is not lacking. So it’s getting me used to men’s rugby.”

David has represented England from U16 level to U19s and this season hopes to break into the U20 squad after the highs of touring South Africa in the summer.

He added: “I was ecstatic when John Fletcher rang me to say I was in the squad. We lost to Wales but beat France and South Africa, when I managed to score a try which was an awesome way to finish the series.

“I also played an U19 game against France who were just colossal – it was like men against boys – so I’m trying to develop physically by eating as much as possible and getting in the gym more. U20s is definitely something I’ve thought about for this season.”

Having been thrown in at the deep end in the Premiership Sevens, David says his natural eye for a counter-attack is an area to work on, with Warriors veteran Chris Pennell full of advice.

“At this level all teams have a good defensive line so it means you can’t always run it back as it becomes too predictable so I’m working on my kicking game – although I lick my lips if there’s a counter-attacking opportunity.

“Chris Pennell has so much experience and I’m trying to learn as much as I can off him.”