Bates looking to get Bears back to the sharp end
BRISTOL born and bred outside back Jack Bates is hoping his ability to play centre and wing will help him nail down a regular place in the Bears match day 23.
Bates enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, playing 17 games in all competitions and scoring three tries.
The 21-year-old reveals that the mood in the Bristol camp is positive going into next season and believes the team have what it takes to be pushing for the playoffs after last season’s underwhelming 10th finish.
He said: “Last season was good. Playing alongside the other boys, you learn something every day. To get an opportunity to fight for the shirt and play consecutively really helped me and I feel I really developed a lot from that exposure. Going into this season I want to play week in week out and keep developing.
“The mood in the camp is good. With the new lads coming in, it’s been good to go back to the basics. There’s been a push on our fundamentals this year, making sure everyone’s got clarity and is on the same page. We’re really building towards having a strong start to the season. We’ve got three preseason games this year that will hold us in good stead to rip into the Premiership.
“We can definitely compete for the title this year. Last season wasn’t the season we wanted but the season before we showed what we could do, and I think with preseason going how it is, there is that buzz and there’s definitely that desire to start well and try and keep it consistent throughout the season.”
Bates is enjoying learning from the household names in Bristol’s talented backline that include former All Black Charles Piutau and Olympic gold medallist Semi Radradra.
Bates, who is 6ft and 14st, added: “In the previous seasons the big names at the club have been very helpful. You can learn a lot from just watching them but also being out there training and you see how different players operate.
Charles’ (Piutau) skill is being able to adapt and learning off Semi (Radradra) is a hell of an experience, so it’s just trying to take what I can from everyone and be a bit of a sponge.”
Bristol’s star-studded backline has been boosted even further ahead of next season as former Harlequins speedster Gabriel Ibitoye has joined the club, but Bates believes he can gain a starting spot through his ability to cover 11, 13 and 14.
He said: “My versatility is important as I could start at both 13 and wing but it also opens up that bench spot as well if you can play multiple positions. The aim is to be a genuine option and bring my strengths to the team.”
Growing up as a Bristol fan, Bates is eagerly anticipating their West Country derby clash on the first Friday night of the season under the lights against Bath at what is set to be a lively Ashton Gate.
He said: “That’s the big game, the big rivalry is Bristol against Bath and that means a lot to me being from Bristol. It’s a big challenge for us and hopefully these next few weeks go well, and I can earn that spot and hopefully earn a win at home at Ashton Gate.
“Playing at Ashton Gate is huge. Going from supporting them at the Memorial Ground and
seeing the atmosphere the Bears have created is fantastic. Each season our ticket sales are increasing and personally going from one side of the fence to the other has been huge. It means so much playing in front of that Bristol crowd, knowing you’ve got family and friends in that stadium is definitely special.”
The England U20s Six Nations Grand Slam winner is another product of Bristol’s academy and Bates was delighted last season as he watched the club’s junior side beat Northampton Saints 13-5 to win the Premiership U18s Academy League.
Bates believes Bristol’s academy will benefit the club going forward and has been impressed with his fellow graduates.
He said: “The U18s had a successful season last year winning the Cup and the young lads coming through are really pushing the competition. It’s not just players from other clubs it’s players from the academy who are pushing for places which is good to see.
“You can see the alignment coming through the academy now, boys are coming in and are already picking up what we’re doing in the first team. So, it creates less of a gap between the two as boys are coming in and implementing their own game while being able to play the Bears way.”