YOUNG GUNS
Bristol Bears academy winger Harry Rowson is the latest young star to sign a dual university partnership as he joins BUCS Super Rugby side Loughborough University next year.
The 20-year-old made a name for himself in 2020 when he scored a hat-trick of second half tries in Bristol’s narrow 35-34 loss to Newcastle Falcons in the 3rd/4th place playoff at the Premiership U18s finals day.
After his stellar performance, Rowson was nicknamed ‘the crab’ due to him showing in his tries that he can move as quickly sideways as he does forwards.
Rowson believes his treble helped with his exposure and allowed him to be noticed by the senior coaches.
Rowson said: “I was very surprised when it happened. I remember coming in at half-time and I’d done nothing all half, I don’t think I’d touched the ball and was happy to just get the ball a bit. I think fate played a part, being in the right place at the right time and scoring a hat-trick meant it was a great day, just a shame we lost.
“With the academy coaches it’s really helped me increase my name but when you go into the first team you’re starting from scratch and have to show them in training and high-level matches why you’re worthy of being there. It definitely helped me get my contract and get me to where I am but once you’ve got the contract it’s all about the next step.”
Rowson is looking forward to getting started with Loughborough – who finished fourth in BUCS last year – and he added: “It should be a really good opportunity as the BUCS setup at the moment seems so good that it seems a better level than playing in the National
Leagues, and I can also get a degree to fall back on as well.”
Rowson came off the bench to play in two Premiership Cup matches last season and will continue to train with Bristol during the university holidays.
He said: “My shortterm goals are to get some Premiership Cup minutes and get into Loughborough’s first team and take all the opportunities I can get and just focus on building myself as a player rather than waiting for the opportunities to come to me.”
A former scrum-half, the former Wellington College student has a slight frame at 5ft 8ins and 12st 7lbs but possesses lightning quick feet and idolises world class internationals that constantly punch above their weight.
Rowson said: “I take inspiration from smaller players like Cheslin Kolbe, Gabin Villiere, Antoine Dupont and Danny Care but I did enjoy watching Manu Tuilagi when I was younger as well. I went to watch England v New Zealand in 2012 when we beat them 38-21 and he just tore through and from that day I’ve loved him and think he should be in the England squad when fit.”
Like every young English rugby player, Rowson’s dream is to play for England, but he also has aspirations to become a seasoned veteran at his boyhood club.
He said: “I would love to become a Bears
first teamer like Joe Joyce or Andy Uren and play the whole of my club rugby at
one club.”