JOHANN VAN GRAAN EXPLAINS WHY HE HAS SIGNED GUY PEPPER DESPITE BATH’S STACKED BACKROW
Johann van Graan believes Guy Pepper has the athleticism and drive to become a top international standard flanker having signed the forward from Newcastle Falcons ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The move had been well leaked in the press, and yet with Bath’s backrow stacked with international talent like Sam Underhill, Josh Bayliss and Ted Hill, along with star performers like Alfie Barbeary and Miles Reid, questions have been asked whether there is room for an ambitious player like 20-year-old Pepper who was named in England’s training squad ahead of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations and played for England A against Portugal earlier this year.
And yet the Harrogate-born backrower, who has the best tackler success rate in the Premiership this season with 96 percent completed, has signed an initial three-year deal at the Rec.
Discussing the signing, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan explained why he has moved to sign Pepper. He said: “Guy is going to be a very important player over the next few years. He has a real engine, you need an incredible engine as an open side. We spoke about his phenomenal defence and the thing that's underrated about him is his work ethic.
“To be called into the English national team at age 20 says that there's got to be something about him. His hunger struck me, he wants to get better and be part of a group that wants to achieve something and, I'm really excited about him coming in this season.”
There is at least one spot opening up in the Bath backrow ranks next season with GJ van Velze hanging up his boots at the end of the current campaign, with potentially more to come. Van Graan continued: “Looking at the bigger picture, some players will leave the club at the end of the season but we will announce that later. We are succession planning. If you look at Guy’s age profile, I am looking for players who can become international players because I believe the more international players you have the more you can compete in big games. I see a big future for him and he can play six and seven.
“If you look at the age profile of our squad in that position they are fairly high. I trust my eye and what I have seen in Guy is an exceptional talent and if I spot somebody like that who fits what we are looking for then we will try and sign them. But most importantly Guy wanted to come here, he saw something at Bath that he believes will make him better. “
2024-04-25T11:03:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd