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Batley sets sights on reaching top
The Rugby Paper
|October 20, 2024
JOE Batley has two remaining targets in a career that started at Gloucester 10 years ago – help Bristol win the Premiership for the first time and gain international recognition.
The 28-year old second row is in his second stint with the Bears after playing for the club for 30 months from 2017. He rejoined five years later after stints with Leicester and Worcester and has established himself as one of the mainstays of the side.
He has started all except one of the Bears’ last 26 Premiership matches, the blow-out against Newcastle at Ashton Gate last April when he was rested, and has started the season in rampaging form with Bristol topping the table after four rounds.
“We were very disappointed after losing at home to Gloucester, but bounced back against Bath and Exeter,” said Batley. “To get to where we want to be in June, we have to put in the hard work now. There is no easy game in this league and you have to always be on it.”
Bristol are unbeaten away from home in the Premiership in 2024 with Sale, Leicester, Harlequins and Bath among their victims.
This story is from the October 20, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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