JACK BATES
BRISTOL WINGER
As a four-year-old peering over the fence at the Blackthorn End of the Memorial Stadium, Jack Bates dreamed of representing Bristol on the Premiership stage.
Last week, at Sale, he got his chance and despite a young side suffering a heavy defeat, the experience has only fired the ambition of the Bristol-born, former St Brendan’s and Cleve RFC junior, who found his way to the Bears via Colston’s School and Filton College. Bates, who represented England U18s last year, said: “It was unreal. It’s been a childhood dream and while you train a lot...