TEENAGER Jack Utton has made a big step towards his dream of becoming a Premiership rugby player by earning a place in Bath’s Elite Player Development Group.

The 14-year-old Corsham School student, who lives in Neston and plays for Corsham U15s, will begin training with Bath at Farleigh House during the school holidays next week after impressing academy director Danny Grewcock at trials over the last few months.

Inside centre Utton, who also represents Dorset & Wilts at U15 level and is a member of the twin counties’ School of Rugby programme, is a Bath fan.

He said: “I went down to Yeovil for trials and there were about 60 lads there,” he said.

“I thought I’d do my best and if it wasn’t enough then there was always the next year but in the end, I did enough. I’ve always wanted to be a Premiership rugby player and this is the highest level you can be at when you’re my age, so hopefully it’s a big step in the right direction.

“I can’t wait to get started and it’s really exciting that we’ll be training at the same place as the Bath (first-team) players.

“We’ll be going about once a month and then we’ll have games against other Premiership sides at the end of the year.

“I’ve got a season ticket at Bath so that’s great for me and I want to keep going with rugby and try as hard as I can to make it happen.”