Young Gun: Steve Uren – Bristol flanker

Record-breaking Steve Uren is already the talk of Bristol, having become their youngest league player last season, and the 18-year-old claims a season toughening up in the National Leagues will help him add to that one appearance.
Uren, came off the bench in the 48-13 Championship win over Moseley at 17 years and 307 days old in February after injuries had rocked the team and has since appeared on the bench for the West Country club.
But the flanker has been mainly playing in the National Two South for Dings Crusaders this season as he attempts to bulk up and get used to playing against more experienced, and crucially, larger opponents.
And with the British & Irish Cup returning this weekend, Uren hopes he will soon be involved with Bristol again.
“It’s my first season in full men’s rugby and there is a big difference to U18s, the opposition are much bigger,” he said. “I’m pretty tired after the games but I’ve been doing a lot of strength and conditioning at Bristol and playing each week is helping me improve in all aspects.
“Hopefully I’ll get a chance in the Cup – I haven’t been told whether I’ll get a go or not but fingers crossed I’ll get lucky.
“It was a dream come true to play for Bristol in the first place and I was really nervous. But it was an amazing feeling to get out onto the pitch and I felt I did pretty well and I was happy when I came off.
“I think I’m a bit of a better player now and being on loan at the moment all I want to do is play really well and get another go for Bristol.
“I’ve been on the bench a couple of times so I know the drill before the game with Bristol and hopefully next season I’ll get plenty of chances in the league.”
Uren’s form for the Bristol Academy, where he has learnt his trade since joining at 15, has been noticed by England with the openside appearing in the Red Rose at U16, U17 and, last season, U18 level.
Uren travelled to South Africa in August with the England squad to beat Wales 28-25, and lose by seven points to both France and the hosts.
He now finds himself in the limbo of the U19s but the former Keynsham player is determined to continue his rise through the international youth teams ahead of next year’s Junior World Championships in New Zealand.
“I’m really hopeful by the end of this season I will be involved with the England U19s and then the 20s is the next aim,” he said.
“It was a great to go to South Africa and play different sides – the South Africans are very physical and although we lost we outscored them on tries which was a confidence boost.
“I’ve enjoyed being around the England set-up for a while now and I just want to keep working hard and make sure I continue to be involved.”
While plenty of hot young prospects in the country ply their trade at Premiership sides, Uren bucks the trend by being on the books of Championship Bristol – the club he has supported all his life.
“The facilities are great here and I don’t think it makes a difference to the other lads although I think I’m more likely to get a chance in Cup games,” he said. “They’ve helped me loads and to learn from guys such as Roy Winters and Mariano Sambucetti really helps me because they’re great people.”