Former academy star joins championship
Released Bath Rugby academy backrower Xavier Hastings has signed for Greene King IPA Championship side Hartpury ahead of the upcoming season.
Flanker Hastings, 20, was one of six players to sign senior academy contracts at Bath ahead of the 2019/20 season along with Archie Griffin, Gabriel Hamer-webb, Nahum Merigan, Max Ojomoh and George Worboys , however the former Salisbury RFC product moved on this summer with the Blue, Black and Whites packed with talent in the backrow, with the likes of Miles Reid and Josh Bayliss the latest players to go from the club’s academy into the international setups of England and Scotland respectively.
Add to that England international Sam Underhill, Tom Ellis and new South African signing Jaco Coetzee and the two spots on the flank are looking like Bath’s strongest position in the squad heading into the 2021/22 season.
Hastings certainly has talent and has had an outstanding youth career, representing England U20s this season and reaching the Natwest Cup final at Twickenham with his school Bishop’s Wordsworth in youth rugby.
Hastings, who lists his role models as England great Richard Hill and former Bath backrower Francois Louw, is described to be similar to the South African World Cup winner in his style of play.
Discussing Hastings, Bath centre Max Ojomoh said: “His engine is insane and his ability to get over the ball and turnover is impeccable. He is exactly like Francois Louw and how he is defensively solid, Xavier is such a nuisance to play against.”
Hartpury have also added former Bristol Bears favourite Jack Tovey to their backline ahead of the upcoming season following a couple of seasons at Ealing Trailfinders.
The centre, 30, has already pulled on the red of Hartpury having spent much of the 2018-19 season on loan at the Gloucestershire club.
■ Avon RFC have recently held their AGM, with the main theme being continuity following the unfortunate absence of any rugby last season, together with cautious optimism for the new campaign due to get underway in September.
On the field, Kane Book continues as club captain for the third year, whilst Kai Harwood is again head coach with Clive Book still acting as director of rugby and Chris Mutlow resuming his role as fixtures secretary.
Off the field, Ian Monochinoayres is once again club chairman with Tony Mutlow elected President for his 12th year in office as well as also managing the buildings, grounds and clubhouse, whilst Paul Kirby continues as both secretary and treasurer for the tenth year in a row.
For the Minis section, Kane Book and Kai Harwood again assume the reins as coaches and coordinators.
Meanwhile, preparations continue for the forthcoming season with training sessions well attended on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Any new players who wish to take part will be made very welcome from 7pm onwards at Avon’s Hicks Field ground, off the London Road at Batheaston.