Young Gun: Josh Basham – Wellington College captain

Leaving Wellington College having made history is no easy feat but that is what Josh Basham is already certain to do after he became the first player to win three consecutive Daily Mail trophies.
The prestigious Berkshire school is used to challenging for honours and with alumni including England star James Haskell, Scottish brothers Thom and Max Evans and more recently USA Sevens captain Madison Hughes, filling the boots of the previous generation is always a challenge.
But Basham has risen to it with the big No.8 – he weighs 106kg (16st 10lb) and stands 6ft4in – making his first team debut at 15 and being involved in the 2014 winning campaign.
Last term, Basham led from the front as captain and he is now looking to end his schoolboy days with a Red Rose on his chest.
“We’ve enjoyed a very good year at Wellington winning the Daily Mail Trophy again,” he told The Rugby Paper. “It was pretty special for me as it was my third even if I didn’t do much in my first year. My only job then was to tackle and ruck.
“It’s my first year being captain but I really enjoy the role. It requires a different approach to games because I have to focus on my teammates as well as my own game.
“But it’s improved my communication and it’s changed the way I look at games. I think it made me a better player to be honest because I’ve got to make sure I play as well as I expect my teammate to do. I’m a lot more focussed.
“We’ve got a couple of camps coming up with England U18s and hopefully I’ll be involved in the Five Nations tournament over Easter and then the annual tour in South Africa in August
“I played U16s and U17s so hopefully I can keep progressing and move up the age-groups. I’ve been playing with the same players for the past couple of years and that’s been nice to go on that journey together.”
Basham, 17, took his leadership role to another level by being named captain of the London Irish academy and he is looking to join full-time.
He added: “I’ve been at London Irish since U15s and we won the academy Premiership last season. We’ve been playing well again this season even if we can’t seem to finish games off.
“The coaches have been very positive with their feedbacks so far and I hope I’ll be able to stay next season once I finish school. Nothing is set in stone yet but I think they’re looking to keep me on and join the academy full-time.
“There’s a great buzz around the club at the minute and all the youngsters are desperate to get involved with the first team.
“I played with Joe Cokanasiga and Johnny Williams in the academy so to see them in the first team now makes want to do the same.
“I was on the bench against Cornish Pirates in the B&I Cup which was great even if I didn’t get on. It was in Penzance so I could experience the whole matchday routine.”