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Oli Bryant Makes His Debut for Leicester Tigers
Jerry Penna17 Nov 2014 - 19:28
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Another Cornishman in the Premiership Ranks
On Saturday 1 November 2014 former Redruth School student Oli Bryant made his debut for Leicester Tigers in the LV=Cup game away to London Irish.
The 19-year-old fly half from Illogan, son of ex-Reds prop Mark Bryant, was one of several youngsters handed a chance to impress by Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill and the young Cornishman didn't do his first XV chances any harm as Leicester claimed a 17-16 victory at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
It was a memorable experience for Oli, who joined Leicester at the age of 16, after playing for Redruth's junior teams since he was 11.
He said: "It's a great honour to play for Tigers. I've been in the mix in the 'A' League and you're always looking to push for a chance to play. These sorts of games in the LV= Cup offer opportunities for young players to make a go of it and luckily I got the nod. Hopefully I've put a performance in, I can keep going well in training and get another opportunity."
Oli has become an established member of Leicester's development squad, and has captained the side this season. It is highly likely that he will get many more opportunities to show the Tigers' coaching team what he can do at first team level.
Richard Cockerill said: "The LV=Cup tournament gives us an opportunity to have a look at some of our younger players in a competitive environment as part of their development."
Oli has clearly settled in well since making the move from Cornwall to Leicester as a raw 16-year-old.
He said: "It was a great experience coming to Leicester and I'm in my fourth year at Tigers now. I've come through the Academy system and I'm studying in Leicester and really enjoying it."
Oli also believes that training and playing alongside established premiership players can only help his game.
He added: "The players are all great. David Mele is always chirping in your ear, if you ask what they think they're always on board and always happy to give you ideas. The senior guys emphasised what it means to play for the Tigers, so that really hit me."
The 19-year-old fly half from Illogan, son of ex-Reds prop Mark Bryant, was one of several youngsters handed a chance to impress by Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill and the young Cornishman didn't do his first XV chances any harm as Leicester claimed a 17-16 victory at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
It was a memorable experience for Oli, who joined Leicester at the age of 16, after playing for Redruth's junior teams since he was 11.
He said: "It's a great honour to play for Tigers. I've been in the mix in the 'A' League and you're always looking to push for a chance to play. These sorts of games in the LV= Cup offer opportunities for young players to make a go of it and luckily I got the nod. Hopefully I've put a performance in, I can keep going well in training and get another opportunity."
Oli has become an established member of Leicester's development squad, and has captained the side this season. It is highly likely that he will get many more opportunities to show the Tigers' coaching team what he can do at first team level.
Richard Cockerill said: "The LV=Cup tournament gives us an opportunity to have a look at some of our younger players in a competitive environment as part of their development."
Oli has clearly settled in well since making the move from Cornwall to Leicester as a raw 16-year-old.
He said: "It was a great experience coming to Leicester and I'm in my fourth year at Tigers now. I've come through the Academy system and I'm studying in Leicester and really enjoying it."
Oli also believes that training and playing alongside established premiership players can only help his game.
He added: "The players are all great. David Mele is always chirping in your ear, if you ask what they think they're always on board and always happy to give you ideas. The senior guys emphasised what it means to play for the Tigers, so that really hit me."
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