Clark wants to be unclouded
Max Clark is determined not to let thoughts of a new contract cloud his mind. The Bath Rugby centre is one of 20 players in the final year of this current deal and, as yet, the Bath Chrnicle understands talks haven’t been opened for a new one. The 23-year-old admits he has had a “frustrating” past year, largely down to two knee injuries which prevented him from pushing on from a strong start to last season. With competition from Jamie Roberts, Jackson Willison, Max Wright and Jonathan Joseph when he returns to fitness, game time might be at a premium for Clark. Any time on the field is important in terms of catching the coaches’ eyes. Clark said: “You don’t want to be thinking about that stuff because that would just put pressure on yourself. “You’ve got to go out and train and play as much rugby as you can, and let that do the talking. For me, at the moment, I haven’t had much game time. “My main focus is to put some minutes together and that’s when I can build something to have a conversation about.” Consistency over the course of a season is something Clark - who can play 12 or 13 - has been striving for a while. A “couple of niggles” in late summer meant he had to be patient for a first-team chance early in the campaign and, unfortunately for him, it came in a reshuffled backline away to Saracens in ruthless attacking form. “It’s obviously frustrating,” Clark added. “You want to be playing week in, week out. You’ve got to prove your worth. I’ve got to put some good games together and put an argument to the coaches that they should pick me. “From the start of last season when things were going quite well for me to this one is quite different, but I think that’s part of the sport and something you’ve got to take on board.” Clark is hoping to feature in what are three very important Premiership games against Worcester Warriors on Saturday, Newcastle Falcons next weekend and Sale Sharks after that. Bath, who are eighth in the league, have only won twice in 11 this season and lost all three of their Premiership Rugby Cup matches. Speaking after the 22-7 defeat at Newcastle Falcons, Optimistic Clark added: “From where we were three weeks ago I think we’ve made a massive improvement, but going forward there are still areas we can definitely work on.”