Young Gun: Charlie Ewels – Bath lock
The 18-year-old joined Bournemouth RFC aged seven and progressed through the county system, where he was spotted by Bath.
The West Country side picked up the now 6ft 6in forward aged 15 and, after continuing to train alongside his academic commitments at Bryanston School, Ewels is now entering his first season as a full professional.
The teenager is enjoying life at The Rec and his full-time career has received an early shot in the arm, in the form of a call-up to the England U20 squad.
Ewels knows how important progression on the international stage is, but he does not underestimate the importance of having someone of Grewcock’s knowledge and experience waiting for him back home.
“Peter Walton, the England U18s forwards coach, has worked with me since I was about 15 and at Bath Danny Grewcock is my mentor,” said Ewels.
“He is the academy director and it is massive being a second row and having a second row mentoring me, and knowing what he achieved in the game.
“Getting the nod for the U20s was huge as well. Representative rugby is not the be-all and end-all but it is a massive stepping stone towards greater things.
“There are a whole load of exciting new competitions, like the Six Nations and the Junior World Championships so it is a massive opportunity to put yourself about and get some exposure.
“The other guys are all in the same position. There are some who have had first-team experience and some who haven’t and you learn from that and what it is like at other clubs.
“You are always talking to each other about that and you are all in the same boat in that you are starting your rugby careers.
“At the club you have some guys who are coming to the end of their career and some guys who are just starting – but here you are all in that same boat together.”
Two of Ewels’ Bath teammates were also named in the England U20 squad – fellow second row Tom Ellis and winger Anthony Watson – and he is excited about the future at club and country.
Bath have made a solid if unspectacular start to the Premiership season and the teenager is hoping his generation can help take the club back to its glory days – with some guidance from more experienced players.
“Life is good, especially with all the new facilities like Farleigh House – it’s amazing,” said Ewels. “I am really enjoying professional life.
“It is a young squad – there are a lot of guys who are 21 or 22 in the first team squad and then there are us below that. Hopefully if I keep working hard I can break in as well in the next couple of years.
“The squad all chip in and help.
“We train with them and all the second rows look out for the young second rows. Stuart Hooper is club captain as well as playing in the second row and if there is anything he sees us doing that he can help with, he will.
“They all look out for the younger guys and help them.
“Obviously they know we are the next generation of Bath players.”
