Priestland playing for his future at Bath
RHYS Priestland insists constant speculation over big name fly-halves joining Bath doesn’t bother him as he seeks to batten down a new contract at the club.
In January 2019, Bath announced multi-cap Welshman Priestland would be leaving The Rec that summer, amid strong rumours that either New Zealander Aaron Cruden or South Africa star Handre Pollard would join Freddie Burns in an all-star line-up.
Fast-forward and Priestland is still there, enjoying the form of his life after guiding Bath to last season’s play-offs, with the rest nowhere to be seen. He turns 34 in January and
Bath remain in the transfer market, but his enthusiasm is undiminished.
“Bath are always linked with big names, but there’s nothing I can do about it and it doesn’t really bother me that much,” Priestland told The Rugby Paper.
“I’m probably the only recognised senior No.10 here. We’ve got quality in the academy but it’s probably the only position where we haven’t got great depth. Josh Matavesi can play 10 and he does very well, but he sees himself as a 12.
“I don’t know how long I’ve got left – maybe a year or two years – but I’m feeling okay at the moment and I’ve spoken to Stuart
Hooper, so I’m hoping to play next year. I’m out of contract so whether it’s here or not, I don’t know, but I feel the same now as I did when I was 26 or 27. I try to look after myself to be physically at my best.”
Priestland’s response to effectively being shown the door two years ago, only to re-sign in April 2019, did him great credit. Not only did he swallow his pride, he knuckled down to deliver some of his best rugby while demonstrating his potential as a coach.
In Orlando Bailey and George Worboys, Bath have two fine young No.10s in the making and Priestland is happy to be playing his part. He explained: “They have both got fantastic feet, are great runners with the ball and when I coached Orlando at Beechen Cliff School, I could see straight away that he had so much time and was so skilful.
“Physically, he’s a big man, which helps, and George is the same. I’ve seen George play 10 and 15 and he’s skilful with ball in hand. The main thing for these boys now is to play because that will improve their game understanding. Playing is a big issue at the moment because of Covid, but hopefully they can kickon because they’re the future of this club.”
Aside from securing a new contract, Priestland is mulling his long-term future. A career in coaching beckons, but the insecurity of the profession is a concern.
He added: “It’s the million-dollar question. I’ve got my Level 3 coaching award so it’s an option, but I’m doing an MBA at Bath Uni as well and really enjoying that. It’s tough deciding whether to go down the coaching route or go into business.
“I love working with players and seeing them improving and achieving their goals, but it’s what goes with it – the job uncertainty and long hours – that I’m unsure about.
“I’m trying to figure all that out and maybe I’ll get a eureka moment, but for now I’ll just do my best for Bath. Two years ago, I had no future here, but I’m proud of how I kept my standards up and I’ll keep putting the team first.”