ARTHUR GREEN
Arthur Green hopes to follow in his father's footsteps and one day win a full England cap. The bruising No.8, 20, enjoyed a breakthrough season with Bath coming off the bench to make his first team debut in the Premiership Cup at home to London Scottish and made his Premiership bow away at Leicester Tigers last December.
Green's exploits at Bath and Durham University in BUCS Super Rugby caught the attention of England U20s head coach Mark Mapletoft who brought him in for the victorious World Championship campaign in South Africa this summer.
Green's father Will, the four-cap England prop, played 164 times for Wasps between 1995-05 – where he won Premiership titles and a Heineken Cup in 2003/04 – and Arthur says his father's career has been inspirational as he makes his way along the Red Rose pathway.
Green, who started the 48-11 victory over Fiji in the pool and came off the bench in the final against France to score a decisive try in England's 21-13 triumph, told The Rugby Paper: “I loved being in camp with the boys. I was quite late into the group, and wasn't involved in the Six Nations but luckily got the opportunity to go out to South Africa.
“It was a great opportunity, a good atmosphere and the boys were very welcoming. I knew a few of them from U18s, so that was quite nice but it's just a great environment for new guys to enter.”
Considering his success in the sport it's easy to see why Green's father is such an inspiration but is thankful he's not a pushy parent. He added: “Watching my dad play meant rugby was always around when I was growing up. When I was younger I joined a little rugby club called Pulborough RFC, played a bit of tag rugby, moved over to Somerset and got on board with Frome. I was then playing Saturday, Sunday, didn't care how the body was feeling as I just loved it.
“My dad's pretty relaxed, doesn't care what I do just as long as I'm enjoying it. He's a great figure to have when you have questions because he's done what I want to do in the future, so I'm very inspired by him.
“My dad was a big role model but I also remember watching Chris Robshaw and then old clips of my dad playing with Lawrence Dallaglio. They were the main two rugby idols.”
The 6ft 1in, 17st 4lbs back row is hoping to shift a few pounds before the start of the new season and hopes to continue learning from Bath's back rowers.
He said: “I'd like to potentially lose a few kilos during pre-season. There was some good food out in South Africa!
“I'm feeling good. I was very fortunate two years out of school to make my Premiership debut at Leicester which is something I want a bit more of as that was an amazing experience.
“It's been great as I've been with Bath since U14s. I remember rocking up for my first trial and having Nathan Catt here as when he started coaching I was U17s. He's progressed and it's great to have been in camp with him at England U20s. Bath's been great, I'm coming to the end of my first two years there and have loved every moment of it. This is where I want to be, so hopefully I can stay there and push on.
“Alfie Barbeary, Jaco Coetzee and Miles Reid are great for me, provide all the tips and are very welcoming. It's fantastic to be able to go up to great lads like them for advice.”
