Clark takes it to the Max to showWales what they are missing
THE Bridgend-born youngster who turned Wales down this summer has rubbed salt in the wounds by starting the season with a two-try bang.
Bath centre Max Clark was offered the chance to head to the South Seas with the Welsh squad for the Tests against Tonga and Samoa.
But the 21-year-old declined the opportunity because of his ambitions to play for England, who he has already represented at age grade level.
And now he has provided further evidence of what Wales have missed out on with a Man of the Match display in Bath’s season-opening victory over Leicester.
The strong-running, pacy midfielder crossed for two tries during the first half at Welford Road to help lay the platform for a notable 27-24 triumph.
With Wales having limited depth in the centre, he would be a welcome addition to the ranks, but to date their efforts have proved fruitless.
Despite being born in Bridgend and having a Welsh mother, Clark has spent pretty much all his life in England, attending Bryanston School in Dorset.
He has worn the Red Rose at U16, U18 and U20s level and has now established himself in senior club rugby with Bath.
It was a breakthrough season for him last term, after he recovered from a neck injury.
He scored a try on his Aviva Premiership debut against Saracens in December and was handed a new deal by Bath the following month.
Becoming a regular in the firstteam set-up, he ended the season with tries in the last two league matches, including a cracker versus Gloucester, and has started the new campaign in impressive fashion.
He popped up on the inside shoulder of the breaking Matt Banahan for his first against Leicester and there was to be no stopping him as he took a pass straight from a close range ruck to dive in low for his second.
It was another eye-catching display from the long-haired centre, who is both aggressive an incisive in his play, running direct and hard and get his side over the gainline.
Speaking back in May about the approach from Wales, he said: “There were very small talks about it and it took me by surprise to be honest. I hadn’t really thought about Wales having always played in England and I’ve just started playing regular first team rugby at Bath.
“I just want to get up to speed at club level. I’ll be able to make a far more informed decision in the coming years should the opportunity arise again.”
If he carries on in his current vein, you wouldn’t be surprised if Wales came knocking again.