Tackling the talent

Nov. 7, 2010

Keywords:

bath
rugby
tackling
talent

Not rated

Two of Bath Rugby Academy’s rising stars, Chris Cook and Guy Mercer speak to us about their private school days, sporting aspirations, hotspots and WAGS!

Hero

Chris Cook

Q. Where did you go to school and where do you live?
I went to Kingswood School from Year 2 until Year 8 when I started at Millfield School. I boarded there until the end of upper sixth. I lived in Larkhall for the first 13 years of my life, then while I was at Millfield I moved to Timsbury and am now living on London Road.

Q. Did you do well at school?
I did as well as I could at school both in sport and academically. My move to Millfield saw them both improve dramatically during my first few years there, but rugby really took off for me in year 11.

Q. Who got you into rugby and influenced you as young ‘un?
It was definitely my step-dad John Handford who introduced me to rugby. He was an established rugby player himself and as soon as I was old enough (at the age of six), he took me down to the minis, next to the rec where I fell in love with the game instantly. He later coached me at Bath minis from the age of about eight until he died in 2003. I would not be half the rugby player I am today without his encouragement and commitment to me, driving me all round the country at all hours of the day and night. I was also lucky enough to have a lot of very good school teachers including Bath Rugby’s John Mallet at Millfield.

Hero Q. What position do you play?
I have played every position except second row as a youngster but full back was always my favourite position. I used to love getting the ball once it had been kicked to me with acres of space in front of me, but that was when I was younger and a lot quicker. Now that I am a lot fatter and slower I play scrum half.

Q. Is there a particular player at Bath Rugby who has taken you under their wing?
Michael Claassens. I still can’t believe that I can call him a team mate of mine. He is the nicest man in the world and is always happy to help me with any problems I may have.

Q. What do you do in your spare time?
Not a huge amount at the moment. However, I am taking a course at Bath University starting in October which I’m sure will fill most of my free time from then onwards. If I am to be doing anything, I will most likely be in one of Bath’s coffee shops with the younger boys of the squad. We have got a great bunch of youngsters at the club and we will often be found with each other in town.

Q. Where do you like to go out in Bath?
We all know we shouldn’t, but we will often be found in Nando’s, either before or after going to the cinema. We don’t really have a set place to go but I like going to The Curfew as it’s on London Road and the owner loves dogs, so I can take mine in. But it’s usually Second Bridge after that.

Q. How about a WAG? Do you have one?
No luck in that department, but would like to find someone.

Q. Where do you hope to be in five years’ time with your career?
I would like to be Bath’s number one scrum half, and to be competing for the England number 9 shirt. The dream has always been to play for The Lions after my step-dad told me not to watch the 2001 Lions tour video because of the language used in some of it. So naturally I watched it when he went to bed later that night and fell in love with it. It is ambitious I know, but you never know what might happen!

Hero

Guy Mercer

Q. Where did you go to school and where do you live?
I went to school just up the road from the Rec at King Edwards and I live in North Wraxall.

Q. Did you do well at school?
I did well in the end but probably enjoyed myself a little too much in the early years.

Q. Who got you into rugby and influenced you as a young ‘un?
I don’t really know when I started really enjoying it. Paul Reynolds, my minis coach and John Tidball, my teacher at KES were probably my two biggest early influences.

Q. What position do you play?
Flanker.

Q. Is there a player at Bath Rugby who has taken you under their wing?
I don’t have a mentor as such but Danny Grewcock was really good this summer pushing me to get involved and to not just sit in the background. Simon Taylor would be a good guy to learn some tricks off as he appears to be just effortlessly good at the game.

Q. What do you do in your spare time?
Making sure the restaurants and coffee shops in Bath are running smoothly takes up a lot of my time! I enjoy the odd PlayStation session with the boys and I’m trying to tame a feral cat at the moment.

Hero

Q. If you’re going out in Bath, where do you go?
Hall and Woodhouse for both eating and drinking. I also enjoy The Earl of Manvers, Hudson, and if I can get anyone to come with me then the Coeur de Lion is amazing.

Q. How about a WAG? Do you have a favourite?
I’ve got my own WAG so she’s my favourite, although she’d not be too happy being called one. Her name is Philippa and we’ve been together for six years now. I might trade her in for Cheryl if she came knocking but I’m sure she’d understand. At the moment she can’t provide for me the way Cheryl could and being a kept man is pretty appealing!

Q. Where do you hope to be in five years’ time with your career?
I hope at least to still be at Bath and at most wearing my European Cup and Premiership winners medals as I drive up the M4 to England training.

Tackling the talent

Free schools