A FORMER Chafyn Grove schoolboy has signed a professional contract with Bath Rugby Club.

Tom Carr-Smith has signed a professional contract with Bath Rugby starting when he leaves school in July 2020.

The 18-year old scrum-half has signed a long-term Senior Academy Contract with Bath Rugby.

His first taste of rugby was with Andover RFC at the age of four, and he attended Chafyn Grove School in Salisbury between the ages of eight and 13.

Tom has played across the backline and this versatility has really helped develop not only his skillset but also his understanding of other positions.

Tom’s recent focus on the No 9 jersey has paid off and his physical attributes (He is 6ft 1inch tall and weighs 95 kilograms) contribute to his point of difference.

Tom has been in regular contact with staff at Bath and says the aim is to start some form of training by July 6 but, he says, “we’ll just have to see what happens”.

Salisbury Journal:

Talking about the move to professional rugby with Bath, Tom said: “I’m really looking forward to moving into the professional environment with Bath.

“I have been involved with the Bath Academy since I was 13 and it has always been my goal to play for my home club.

“I am very excited about improving as a player, developing my game and learning from some of the best players in the world.”

Tom added: “I have many happy memories of my five years at Chafyn Grove both on and off the sports field.

“I loved my Rugby at Chafyn and would like to thank all my teachers and coaches for helping me develop my love of sport.”

Premiership Rugby has announced its plan to resume the Gallagher Premiership season on August 15.

Top-flight fixtures were initially shelved for five weeks in mid March, with play indefinitely suspended on April 8.

But Premiership Rugby has repeatedly outlined its intention to finish the season and, with sports across the country returning, the target date of August 15 was agreed at a board meeting on Thursday evening.

The decision was taken in the wake of Premiership and Championship clubs this week being given provisional authorisation to begin non-contact training, with the structure of the 2019-20 season to follow in due course.

Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said: “Nothing will happen until it is safe to do so but we will do everything we can to resume the 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership Rugby campaign on Saturday 15 August.