Young Gun: Tom Ellis – Bath lock

Tom Ellis has been hooked on rugby since the age of six but he took an unorthodox route to reaching his physical peak.
The 19-year-old Bath forward was not only an outstanding rugby player during his school days but also an exceptional athlete, competing at national level in track and field events.
As well as shining in the 800 and 1500m, the 6ft4in lock dominated in the shot put at Millfield School – a place renowned for its ability to breed sporting talent. Ellis is now enjoying life at the Rec, preparing for an A-League semi-final clash with Sale Sharks later this month and forming a formidable second-row with Charlie Ewels.
But he does not underestimate the contribution of his track and field days. “I competed at the English Schools‘ Cup aged 16 in shot and 1500,” he said. “I’m quite good at the plodding-around-the-track events. Millfield was brilliant, they really facilitated everything I wanted to do.
“Training for the shot put and 1500 was quite good for rugby. The power and endurance just fitted quite well.
“I preferred football when I was very young but my brother and dad were into rugby and convinced me to go to the local club when I was six and I enjoyed it. When I was 14 I had a growth spurt and I’ve been trying to fill out since then.”
It was Tor Rugby Club in Glastonbury where Ellis’ imagination was captured and his early affection for football dissolved. By the time he arrived at Millfield he was far keener on the oval-shaped ball but the idea of carving a profession out of the sport was not a driving force.
“I went to Millfield and the choice was rugby or football,” said Ellis. “By that time I preferred rugby, so I went for it. I had a few coaches early on but Chris English was a main mentor – he just really encouraged me. His enthusiasm rubbed off on me, I guess.
“I had two years in the first XV, which was really good. I had some big names who were at the school before me and I used to watch them, like Henry Thomas and Chris Cook. It’s really nice to be trying to aspire to be like them.”
With Thomas shining at Sale and making his England debut in Argentina this summer, aged just 20, Ellis faces a daunting task in emulating his predecessors.
However, a successful tour to South Africa with the England U18s and a call-up to the U20 squad in September have offered ample encouragement.
Bath teammate Anthony Watson’s recent jaunt to Stuart Lancaster‘s senior squad acts as further proof that hard work will be rewarded.
But Ellis insists he is remaining grounded and looking to learn as much as possible from a host of role models at the Rec.
“I’m really enjoying it, sharing a house with three other guys in the same or similar position to me – it’s a great opportunity,” he added.
“There are clearly the senior boys in my position, like Dave Attwood and Stuart Hooper – that is a great thing to aim for.”