Yougn Gun: Jake Polledri – Hartpury College flanker

Jake Polledri admits he is a late developer but linking up with talent-spotting guru Alan Martinovic at Hartpury College has rekindled his fire.
After leaving Filton College, the young flanker, who will turn 21 in two weeks, was playing for Dings Crusaders in National League Two South when Martinovic, then director of rugby at the famous Gloucestershire College, offered him an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
“I’m definitely a late developer and it took me a while to get into the swing of things but everything has been going well since I joined Hartpury,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“Filton were linked with Bristol and I played a few A-League games for them in the past but they didn’t offer me a contract out of school and that’s why I joined Dings.
“I played a season there and that’s when Alan asked me to join Hartpury. I knew him from my time at Colston’s and having someone like Alan telling you you’re good enough is a big confidence boost to be honest.
“It turned out to be the best decision of my life really because I’m playing a lot of rugby and we’re flying high this season in National League One.
“Hopefully we can push for promotion. They gave me a chance and I’m really keen to repay the faith they put in me.”
If the pressure of breaking into senior rugby weren’t big enough, Polledri has to do it in the shadow of his father Peter, a Bristol legend with 466 appearances for the club.
Unlike his dad who turned down playing for Italy back in the 80s, Polledri Jr opted to represent the Azzurri at U20s level and ended playing in the 2014 Junior World Cup on home ground.
But he remains English-qualified because of World Rugby regulations putting him in the best position to maybe one day play in the Premiership.
He added: “My dad is my biggest critic but I’m sure he means well. There’s always that added pressure on me to do well because of the career he’s had but it’s all good intention. We both play in the back row which makes it even harder.
“Playing for Italy was a great experience. One of the coaches at Filton knew one of the U19s coaches a so I was invited for a tour to South Africa. I ended up playing in the 2014 Junior World Cup in Italy which was pretty special.
“But luckily I’m still English-qualified because Italy have an A-team as their second national team rather than the U20s like Wales or France.
“I didn’t realise it at the time but it turned out great because having played for Italy will not impact on my chances to maybe play in the Premiership one day.
“That would be the dream but hopefully I can take a step towards it with Hartpury in the Championship next season.”