YOUNG GUNS

When Alexander James Cant – ‘AJ’ to his mates – suffered the pain of rejection by Exeter Chiefs a couple of years ago he had two choices: fight on or quit.

Happily, the effervescent full-back-cumwinger chose the former and is now on the Cornish Pirates’ fast-track to success and, hopefully, a Premiership future.

Cant, who played mini and junior rugby for Perranporth RFC before attending Truro College, where he was part of the Chiefs’ academy set-up, explained: “There was obviously big disappointment at the time because Exeter’s such a good club and they’re doing so well that anybody would want to be part of that set-up, especially when you’re in their academy.

“But I had great support from my family and friends and, having been on loan at Pirates previously, I didn’t notice the transition as much as some may have done. It just felt like a natural move to sign full-time for the Pirates and it’s progressed from there.

“I’d love to prove people wrong and get a second chance at the top-flight. It’s any English rugby player’s dream to get to the highest level and play in the Premiership and shoot for higher honours, so while I’m young that still remains my main goal.”

Cant, 21, adds: “Pirates have a very good record of getting guys into the Premiership and when I spoke to our coaches, Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver, a while ago they stressed that it’s all about having the confidence and that I should play my own game, not try to be something you’re not or try to play how you think other people might want you to play.

“I’ve gone out to do exactly that and while some people might overlook the Championship and think that if you haven’t made it into the Premiership straight away you’re done for, we’ve seen guys like Christian Judge, Sam Matavesi and Alex Day go into the Premiership with Bath, Northampton and Saracens in the last year, so it can happen to me.”

Voted the Pirates ‘most improved player’ in 2018/19, Cant took that form into last season and was raising eyebrows before the campaign was halted.

“I can’t speak highly enough of what Pirates have done for me,” says Cant, an admirer of England’s Alex Goode. “Growing up, I always watched him and he’s an amazing player with the way he controls the backfield and influences a game from full-back.

“As far as wingers go, I always found Christian Wade an unbelievable talent and his footwork was amazing, while at Pirates I’ve had really good mentors in Matt Evans and our other fullback Kyle Moyle, who’s given me lots of good advice as well.”

Pirates ended last season strongly and Cant aims to continue in that vein. He added: “We’d really hit our stride and were challenging Ealing for second place before Covid-19 hit, but hopefully we can get back playing again and continue that progress. A lot of lads here have ambitions to move their careers on and I can’t wait to get back out

there.”