Young Gun: Levi Douglas- Bath flanker

Levi Douglas was happy playing in France but an unexpected turn of events has brought him back to England.
The 20-year-old started his second season at Top 14 outfit Oyonnax and he was offered a new deal in November.
The terms of the contract worked for him but just before putting pen to paper he decided to explore his options back home – and Bath were interested.
Two days later the powerful back-rower signed for the West Country side and, four months down the line and two Premiership appearances later, he has impressed enough to earn himself a new deal at the Rec.
“I was just about to sign my new contract with Oyonnax when I sent my video to Bath and they asked me to come over,” he told TRP.
“I left Oyonnax on the Sunday, played in the A-league against Exeter on the Monday and signed with Bath on the Tuesday. It was a quick turn of events.
“The environment at Bath is a lot more professional than in Oyonnax where they have a more laidback approach to training and that helps me massively in my development. I’ve been at the club for four months now and I’ve settled really well.
“Making my Premiership debut against Worcester within my first month was great. I also played against Gloucester at Kingsholm in the derby which was special.
“I was never expecting to play in the Premier-ship this season but things have gone so well that I’ve signed a new two-year contract.”
The past couple of years were full of uncertainty for Douglas after leaving the Saracens academy after only four months in 2014 and moving to local club Old Elthamians in National League Two prior to his move to France midway through last season.
But now happy at Bath’s Fairleigh House training centre, and with the new deal boosting his confidence, he is eager to kick on.
He added: “My targets for next season will be to make as many Premier-ship appearances as I can while playing in every LV=Cup games.
“It’s nice to be settled here and have that contract. I’ll be able to enjoy my time off and hit the ground running in pre-season.
“It’s a big confidence boost to have a two-year contract because it puts less pressure on me and I can concentrate on working hard and developing.
“I can play at blindside but I see myself as a No.8 moving forward. I like to carry the ball hard in attack and put big hits in defence.
“There are some very good No.8s at the club with Amanaki Mafi, Leroy Houston and David Denton and I’m also looking forward to training alongside Taulupe Faletau next season.”