Two young England prospects sign contract extensions at Bath
Recent England Six Nations squad call up Orlando Bailey and Max Ojomoh, the son of former Test level back-rower Steve who was named in the summer series squad last July, have given struggling Bath a boost after both agreed to two-year contract extensions. Eyebrows were raised when the 20-year-old out-half Bailey was last month included at the expense of George Ford in the 36-strong England squad that Eddie Jones originally named for the Six Nations.
That pecking order has since changed, with the called-up Ford making the Test bench for the opening two rounds of the Six Nations while Bailey was released on the Tuesday of the round one Scotland match week and didn’t return last week for the build-up to Italy.
Ojomoh, 21, also remains uncapped despite his England call-up, the midfielder named in the 37-man squad that assembled for the two-game series last July versus the USA and Canada at Twickenham.
A Bath statement on their website announcing the new deals with Bailey and Ojomoh read: “Bath are delighted to announce homegrown duo Orlando Bailey and Max Ojomoh have signed two-year extensions. The pair, who have both risen through the club’s pathway, have been rewarded for their fine form in 2021 and become the latest in a long line of local talent to graduate from senior academy to the senior squad.”
Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper added: “To have two young, talented pathway players commit their future to the club is extremely significant. Orlando and Max have both been given their opportunity over the past year and have taken it with both hands.
"It is not something you would automatically associate with a 10 but his defence has been outstanding"#BATvMONhttps://t.co/xu7uaHhVdm
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“Their work ethic has been incredible, their attitude has been exemplary, and they have pushed hard for selection every week. That is a credit not only to them but to the pathway coaches who have helped develop them to this stage of their career. They have both been involved in international camps and have proved their worth. We are thoroughly looking forward to them continuing their journey at Bath.”
Academy manager Craig Lilley said: “The end goal for us as an academy is to ensure boys graduate to the senior squad and add value by not only the way they play but how they are as people and the influence they have on the younger players coming through the pathway.
“Orlando has always been a huge talent and is an exceptional performer. He is so diligent around the game and takes a great deal of care in his attempts to maximise his development, both on and off the field.
“He has the ability to get the best out of those around him through the way he problem solves and communicates with his teammates. It has not been surprising to see him transition to the senior squad and bring his impressive skillset to the environment.
“Max has massive energy and enthusiasm for the game – he just loves rugby. He played for the University of Bath in the BUCS League during the season before covid, an opportunity that has massively helped his transition to the senior game.
“Like Orlando, we have always seen him as someone with huge potential. He possesses great passing skills and also an ability to consistently get over the gain line. To have that double threat is very exciting and we are now starting to see this on a regular basis.
“Orlando and Max have fully utilised the experiences presented during their exposure to senior rugby over the past year and are extremely deserving of their graduation to the senior squad. We are really excited to see how they progress in the years to come.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
82 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments