As he sits within the Lions’ Den bar at Kingsholm, a fresh-faced Josh Hathaway is surrounded by Gloucester rugby historical past as he discusses his breakthrough marketing campaign.
On the partitions of the room which as soon as served because the membership’s altering amenities are crew footage relationship again to the late 1800’s when the Cherry and Whites had been based.
The names of each participant to have represented considered one of England’s most historic sides are listed. Hathaway, nonetheless simply 20, is each Gloucester’s future and current, not their previous.
He’s eligible for England and Wales – the land of his beginning – at senior stage. Hathaway is exclusive in that he has already represented each international locations within the Below-20 Six Nations.
His spectacular improvement at Gloucester this season will certainly have caught the attention of each Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland, though neither have been involved simply but.
Josh Hathaway is getting ready to face the Sharks for Gloucester within the Problem Cup last
Hathaway is pictured celebrating profitable Gloucester’s semi-final in opposition to Benetton
Hathaway, giving his first main interview, is eligible to play for each England and Wales
‘Worldwide rugby has been a dream of mine since I used to be three or 4 years outdated,’ Hathaway tells Mail Sport in his first main newspaper interview.
‘As quickly as I might communicate, I mentioned I wished to play Check rugby. If I do, it could be a dream come true not only for me, however for my dad as effectively. I’ll do as a lot as I can to get there.
‘My dad was throwing a foam rugby ball at me after I was only a few months outdated. He’s at all times been very eager. He did effectively together with his rugby and performed for Wales Below-19’s however sadly picked up two knee accidents which stopped him from carrying on any additional.’
Hathaway’s first full senior marketing campaign has already seen him assist Gloucester to win the Premiership Rugby Cup and attain the ultimate of Friday’s European Problem Cup.
George Skivington’s facet struggled badly within the Gallagher Premiership, with the nadir being a 90-0 hammering by Northampton through which Hathaway was concerned.
But when they beat South African facet Sharks at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday they won’t solely finish the marketing campaign with two trophies but in addition seal qualification for subsequent season’s Champions Cup. Standing between them are is a frightening Sharks facet containing a bunch of Springbok double World Cup winners.
The emergence of Hathaway has been a giant constructive for Gloucester.
Gloucester have endured a poor season total however Hathaway is a shiny level
Born in Aberystwyth, the wing or full-back began his rugby in his hometown and was coached by his father Darren from an early age. He shortly progressed into the Scarlets academy.
However, like quite a lot of Wales’ different prime younger rugby abilities, he was attracted by the prospect of being educated at considered one of England’s prime sporting institutions, in his case Hartpury Faculty.
Hathaway studied for a BTEC in rugby sport at Hartpury – who’ve shut hyperlinks with Gloucester – and signed a long-term take care of the Kingsholm facet in 2022.
Gloucester paid Scarlets a launch payment to signal Hathaway such was the promise they noticed in him.
That call has been rewarded. He has eight tries for Gloucester this season together with a hat-trick in opposition to Saracens. ‘Hartpury was most likely the most effective two years of my life,’ Hathaway says.
‘I performed there for the Scarlets and once we bought there and noticed the amenities, I mentioned to my mum and pop right away I wished to go there.
‘It was the place I noticed my rugby future. It was the most effective resolution I’ve made.’
Hathaway’s father and mom, Claire, are each Welsh-born. However he additionally has a late grandmother on his dad’s facet who was English, which means he’s twin certified.
So, what about his worldwide future? At this stage, Hathaway is retaining his choices open on whether or not it’s England or Wales.
Gloucester noticed the expertise Hathaway possessed and had been eager to snap him up
‘I haven’t had any contact from anybody at both nation,’ he says. ‘I get requested on a regular basis if I’ve had any cellphone calls and I haven’t! I do have individuals in my ear.
‘The primary factor for me is to retain my place within the Gloucester squad and construct on the progress I’ve made. No matter occurs subsequent, occurs. After I performed for England Below-20’s the boys had been actually accepting of me regardless that I’d performed for Wales the 12 months earlier than. I didn’t get any jip!
‘My dad is Welsh via and thru however desires me to do the most effective I can and can again each resolution I make. I’m certain he’ll be in my ear and can make sure that I make the precise name.’
At this stage, it seems to be unlikely Hathaway will play Check rugby this summer time. Have been he to be referred to as up by Wales head coach Gatland for his or her July matches in Australia, he could be instantly captured by the Welsh Rugby Union beneath their choice ruling even when he didn’t play.
He’s not eligible for Wales’ June conflict with South Africa as a result of sport being performed outdoors World Rugby’s designated Check window. Hathaway grew up watching Gatland’s Welsh sides.
He cites Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams as his rugby heroes and visited Principality Stadium together with his dad and mom and youthful sister Taylor. Now, he calls Gloucester dwelling.
He lives in a flat a stone’s throw from Kingsholm with fellow academy participant Morgan Adderly-Jones and this weekend will hope to raise European silverware.
Hathaway begins the ultimate as a substitute.
‘It’ll be a kind of moments the place I’ll must pinch myself. It’ll be one of many issues I dreamed about as a younger baby, he provides.
‘These are the gamers I wish to be like and play with and in opposition to.
‘It was robust transferring away from dwelling in the beginning. Cooking was the primary factor. I nonetheless take two large a great deal of washing again to my mum after I go dwelling!
‘My cooking has improved. Spaghetti bolognaise is a fan favorite. I do miss my dad and mom however they arrive to all my video games and it was good for my improvement to maneuver away.
‘We’ve gained the Premiership Cup. We’d preferred to have had higher leads to the Premiership, however we’ve realized from the errors we’ve made. We’re now into the ultimate of the Problem Cup and if we are able to win that, I feel it’ll have been a really profitable season.’
Hathaway began the marketing campaign taking part in alongside Louis Rees-Zammit at Gloucester, previous to the latter’s high-profile transfer to the NFL. Comparisons between the 2 have been made given each are Welsh-born, had been educated at Hartpury, and took up Kingsholm contracts.
However, the truth is the 2 are totally different gamers. Each have a watch for the attempt line although Hathaway’s understanding and really feel for the sport is spectacular. Gloucester director of rugby Skivington has admitted Hathaway’s defence nonetheless wants work and he isn’t but the completed product.
However after his treble at Saracens, Skivington described his attacking sport as ‘world class.’
There isn’t any doubt Hathaway is a participant of promise. He’s one to observe within the subsequent few years as each England and Wales monitor his progress. After shedding Exeter’s Cardiff-born wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to their bitter rivals, you’d think about Wales and Gatland could be reluctant to let one other promising participant find yourself in a white shirt and never a crimson one.
‘Louis had some nice qualities when he was taking part in rugby and he’s taken them over to the NFL. I really feel I’ve bought some good ones myself, be they totally different to Louis’ or not,’ Hathaway says.
‘I’ve had quite a lot of publicity this season now and confidence has taken some time to kick in, purely primarily based on nerves earlier than video games. I used to be very nervous for my debut in opposition to Saracens.
‘However I’ve constructed up that confidence in myself, particularly defensively, and that’s been large for me. I now again myself and I’ve been lucky to attain a number of tries this season. I’ve relished each alternative and cherished each minute. I simply wish to hold taking part in the very best stage of rugby I can.’
