Guy Pepper Embraces Competition at Bath

Bath back-row Guy Pepper, who has featured in five Premiership games for the club this season since his summer arrival, stated he is embracing the challenge of competing for his spot. The 21-year-old joined Bath from Newcastle Falcons, where he developed through their academy. Pepper, long considered a highly promising talent for a future England career, signed a three-year agreement at the Recreation Ground. Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Pepper remarked, “The players they have here in the back row are very exciting for me to learn off. [I’m] embracing that challenge and good competition for me.” He further added, “I want to get better as a player, and so far every day I’m having to work for that to get my nose into this team. I’m really enjoying the challenge.” Earlier in the current season, Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, drew a comparison between the 6ft 3in flanker and former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, a comment Pepper described as “pretty special.” Pepper commented, “I’ve had chats with Johann, and I think I’m heading in the direction I want to be at. We’re only six games into the Premiership.” He continued, “I’m still going to work hard and make sure that when we come to that business end, I’m still in and around the squad, fighting for my position.” Pepper concluded, “I’m happy where I am at the minute, but the work’s not really done yet.” Pepper, whose father Martin previously played for Harlequins, has represented England at various age-grade levels. In February, he was a member of the England A squad that secured a dominant 91-5 victory over Portugal. Subsequently, he received a call-up from head coach Steve Borthwick for England’s concluding Six Nations fixture against France, though he did not make his debut appearance in that match. Nevertheless, Pepper indicated that his immediate priority is to secure consistent game time for Bath. Pepper stated, “For me personally, the competition at Bath is something that I’ve got to challenge, and I’ve got to make sure I’m putting my foot down at Bath and get game time here and fight for that competition.” He added, “I’m focused solely on Bath at the minute, and if international comes then we’ll see what happens.”