YOUNG GUNS

Twice already in his short career Corrie Barrett has found himself at a dead end and forced to move clubs – now he hopes his home at Goldington Road can be the launchpad to the next level.

The first cut came at Ulster as an 18-year-old when Barrett was not offered a new deal. It led him to take a leap of faith with a 36-hour trip to play his rugby in New Zealand and spent two years playing for Otago U19s and B team.

It led to a deal back in Ireland with Munster, although that turned into the second dead end last year when he was cut loose as the province and IRFU tightened their belts.

After an injury-disrupted first campaign at Bedford, tighthead Barrett, 23, is eager to play a big part this season.

“Since I have been here, I have loved it,” said Barrett. “I fitted in well with the Bedford lads and their style of rugby quickly. I enjoy playing an expansive style of rugby but also being able to focus on the set-piece. We had two games to prepare for the Championship season that’s just finished and I ended up getting injured in the opening game after those, so that was a frustrating start for me.

“I was able to get back for the end of it, though, for the last two games against Nottingham and Ampthill with the crowds back in.

“Near the end we were all starting to gel really well. We were wanting the season to last longer because we were starting to put something together and it was looking very positive.

“That bodes well for this season. We have had two weeks getting into strength and conditioning and all the new boys that have signed on all seem to buy into the Bedford way. We all want the same thing: to be at the top-end of the table.”

Barrett says his time in the New Zealand pathway system rapidly expanded his skills with ball in hand, after years of training centred heavily around the scrum and lineout.

He adds: “It was a long trip there but it was worth it. My transfers were Dublin-Dubai-Sydney-Auckland-Queenstown – I was very bored by the end of it!

“I had come out of school and just didn’t fancy university, and there was nothing developed for me after the U19s with Ulster.

“My school coach Dan Soper, who is at Ulster now, offered me the chance to go over to New Zealand and stay in his hometown of Alexandra. That is how the ball got rolling and I managed to make a bit of a name for myself to get picked up by Otago.

“Playing over there really brought on my ball skills. Being able to be up ready to take the ball rather than being bogged down and waiting for the next scrum. I don’t want to be that sort of prop who is fixed only on the

scrum and lineout, it doesn’t have to be like that. It seems that way in Ireland sometimes, very structured and set-piece orientated rugby.

“That led me to really enjoy playing my rugby over in New Zealand. It was a class experience.”