Blake out to make No.2 slot his own

A HOOKER crisis at Kingsholm last season saw tyro Seb Blake chucked in at the deep end but now he wants to make the Gloucester No.2 jersey his own

- BEN JAYCOCK

The 21-year-old made three appearances in the Premiership Cup in the 2021/22 season and looked set to play a similar role in last year's campaign.

However, the more experienced Gloucester hookers George McGuigan, Jack Singleton and Santiago Socino - all picked up injuries at crucial points in the season, resulting in Blake making 18 appearances in all competitions, including Gloucester's narrow defeat in the Champions Cup last 16 against eventual tournament winners La Rochelle.

On his whirlwind season Blake told The Rugby Paper: "The most eye opening one that stands out was La Rochelle away.

We just missed out but in terms of intensity it was a big step up. They ended up winning the tournament and becoming two-time champions, so the intensity they play at was a shock. The whole atmosphere at their stadium was completely different to anything I’d come across in the Premiership.