George aims to gain from mentor Cips’ departure
GEORGE Barton aims to capitalise on Danny Cipriani’s shock departure from Gloucester by becoming the latest homegrown No.10 to thrill the Kingsholm faithful.
Continuing a proud tradition at the club which in the past has seen academy products Ryan Lamb, Freddie and Billy Burns and current incumbent Lloyd Evans strut their stuff in front of the shed, Barton played for Longlevens RFC before graduating to full-time rugby.
Capped by England U20s, Barton emerged from the bench to score the dramatic late try that downed Champions Cup rivals Ulster last weekend. He now has his sights set on becoming their latest young playmaker to make an impact at Premiership level.
Barton, 20, told TRP: “It’s been a shame to see Danny go because I learnt so much from him. He’s helped me out a hell of a lot in how to manage a game, what to do in certain situations to control things and make good decisions for the team.
“He’s been brilliant for me and I’ll try to keep in touch with him to still learn from him and seek advice. But Danny going does give me an opportunity for more game time now and, as a local lad, it’s a chance I’ll be doing my very best to take.
“A lot of the time for a 10 it’s just about getting a chance to take responsibility, put your team in the right areas and having the confidence to do that. That comes with opportunity in live situations and a lot of young guys are stepping up now.
“Across the Premiership you’ve got Jacob Umaga (Wasps), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Manu Vunipola (Saracens) and James Grayson (Northampton) and there’s a theme throughout the league of younger guys rewarding the faith shown in them. Joe Simmonds is not that old at Exeter either, so, hopefully, I can keep getting involved in more big matches and keep learning in this environment.”
In common with his Kingsholm predecessors, Barton does not lack confidence.
He said: “We have a real reputation for bringing homegrown No.10s through and when you look at Lloyd Evans, he’s a local boy who’s come on so much and really controls games for us.
“Before that there’s been Ryan Lamb, Freddie Burns and Billy Burns and the crowd here have always loved their homegrown 10s. There’s myself as well now and for a local boy who used to play his Sunday rugby at Longlevens, it’s a dream come true to just be able to play at Kingsholm for the first team, let alone scoring a winning try against Ulster.
“For it to happen in the 84th minute of a European Cup tie was incredibly surreal. Getting to play for Gloucester against Lyon and then at home to Ulster, it gave me a chance to reflect on how hard I’d worked to get there and I’m so grateful to my parents for all the help they have given me.”
Gloucester were slammed for fielding a virtual A-team in their 55-10 hammering at Lyon a fortnight ago, but Barton, who started at 10 that day, counters: “There’s so much learning to come out of games like that.
“Hopefully, I can keep the momentum going now, keep getting more game time and help Gloucester get up into that top six or top four in the New Year. As a local boy, I’m enjoying it.”