Bristol Rugby sign Gloucester's Joe Batley ahead of 2017-18 season
Gloucester second row Joe Batley has agreed terms to join Bristol next season. Highly-rated Batley has made four appearances for Gloucester, having joined the Academy from Hartpury College.
“The arrival of Joe in the summer gives us fierce competition in the second row. We are building a squad of young, hungry players with quality in each position”
Mark Tainton, Bristol rugby head coach
As part of the announcement Joe Latta has also agreed terms. Of the two players, Mark Tainton added “They are dedicated young men with plenty of talent and drive to succeed – we are confident they will do well in the environment we are creating at Bristol Rugby.“They are clearly ambitious players and excited about the project we are developing here – to be able attract young, talented individuals like these two shows the direction the Club is taking.”
Batley added: “I’m really excited about this move and a first senior contract, which is a big step for me in my career. I’ve been with Gloucester Academy for three years and learned a lot, but now I’m ready to push on and compete for a starting berth and Bristol is the ideal place to achieve that.“I was really impressed when I spoke to Pat [Lam] about the environment he wants to create at Bristol and the opportunities that young players will get to impress. It’s a club that is going in the right direction and I feel very positive about coming.”
