Berkshire boy excited by Old Bath Road switch

YOUNG tyro Max Brown has promised to bring an insatiable work rate to Old Bath Road after signing for Rams following the completion of his sports coaching university course at Cardiff Met.

The former Newbury, Hungerford and Reading Abbey junior headed to Wales after captaining Berkshire U18s, but is now back in Berkshire and keen to make an impact while studying for a PGCE in teaching at Reading University.

Having captained Cardiff’s Welsh Premiership team in his final year as well as featuring in BUCS Super Rugby before an MCL injury in May forced him out for 11 weeks, Brown is chomping at the bit to make an impact.

He explained: “I see myself as a hard grafter — work rate is a massive part of my game and then the collisions, I like to carry a lot and dominate in the contact area.

“Defence is another big thing for me and I’m excited to test myself in a new environment — BUCS rugby is very quick whereas the Welsh Prem is very heavy, hard and physical, there’s that roughness you get in the Valleys, and National 1 looks like it combines the two.

“I want to keep pushing my rugby as far as I can, and it’s hugely exciting to meet new people, a new team and get into pre-season.”

Reflecting on his time across the River Severn, the back row’s determination shines through as he explained his university choice, stating: “Wales is known for its rugby and I was looking for courses which could offer BUCS, and Cardiff Met gave me an unconditional offer so I was pretty sold after that.

“First year I didn’t come in with any Academy background so I played 4ths and 5ths — which was a good experience — but then in the second year I moved into the performance squad.

“I got a good run of games in the first team after Christmas before doing the MCL, but I didn’t want that to be my last game for Met and to make it back for the Malik Cup final felt like a big achievement.

“I’m also confident because I did a lot of rehab, I’ve effectively had an extended pre-season and now I can’t wait.” As a Berkshire boy Brown reiterated his joy at arriving at Old Bath Road, revealing it was a Park House colleague who helped open the door while going on to comment on the style of leadership which has seen him take on captaincy in recent years.

He said: “I went to school with Ollie Cullum who was playing in the Centaurs, and he put me in touch with Harry Stapleton and in turn Seb (Reynolds), and after chatting to him I just knew this was the right thing for me.

“I captained Berkshire U18s for a few games, but while I’m not really a speaking kind of leader, coaches seem to believe the way I work for the team is helpful — it’s a cliché but I’ll put my body where others might not and that’s the way I’ve tried to pull people along.

“I enjoy trying to set a standard and energy, but it’s also exciting to now come into a new environment where there are guys who have more knowledge and hopefully, I can learn from that.”