Injury-hit Homer hungry for Bath silverware

TOM Homer has revealed his intense desire to overcome seven months of injury hell by guiding Bath to their first silverware in ten years.

Bath host Northampton in the first Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final this Friday, having last lifted a major trophy in 2008, beating Worcester in the European Challenge Cup final.

Full-back Homer, whose appearances this season have been restricted by back, concussion and pectoral injuries, told TRP: “I haven’t played much rugby this season so any opportunity to get back on the pitch again would be great.

“It’s important for the club to get some silverware and we’ve got a group of players and coaches who are hungry to do that. The Anglo-Welsh offers us a route to achieve that and we’re one game from a final so it’s a big target.”

Injuries have prevented Homer, 27, from fulfilling the potential he first showed as a 17-year-old making his Premiership debut at London Irish.

A decade on, the former England U20 man’s Test hopes have faded, but he said: “I’ve had a fair few injuries but the way I look at it is I’ve stayed fresh, so any time I’ve missed I will make up towards the end of my career.

“It’s a collision game, you’re bound to get knocks and perhaps I’ve been unlucky, but I love this game and wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

Meanwhile, Homer believes England should switch club-mate Anthony Watson to fullback and replicate the impact of Australia’s Israel Folau.

He explained: “Anthony’s been one of England’s standout players on the wing and his finishing ability is amongst the best in the world, but he’s played a lot at No.15 for Bath and I’m pretty sure he wants to replicate that at Test level.

“You look at Izzy Folau for Australia and there are comparisons; Anthony’s a serious threat from deep, has a good aerial game and would probably get his hands on the ball more.

“Ball in hand he’s lethal – speed, footwork, just special – so he’d definitely be an asset.”